A fire that erupted Thursday in a truck trying to access the Riverside (91) Freeway caused a gas leak that prompted a complete closure of the eight-lane corridor in both directions just west of downtown Riverside, bringing traffic to a near standstill.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 10:55 a.m. Thursday on the Adams Street on-ramp to the eastbound 91, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The agency said flames broke out in the cargo hold of the truck, which was hauling garbage. Within minutes, the fire intensified, threatening to spread into surrounding vegetation and the parking lot of an auto dealer adjacent to the on-ramp, according to reports from the scene.
Riverside Fire Department engine crews reached the location by 11:10 a.m. and established hose lays, preventing the flames from spreading from the truck.
By 11:35 a.m., the blaze was under control. However, the natural gas tank powering the vehicle was ruptured, spewing gas into the surrounding air, officials said.
The fire department requested a full closure of the freeway — both east- and westbound lanes — for public safety, and the CHP initiated the closure at 11:40 a.m.
The closure zone was a mile in both directions, running between Madison Street to Adams on the westbound side, and from Van Buren Boulevard to Adams on the eastbound side, the CHP said.
A Sigalert was issued due to the enormous traffic jam that ensued. Motorists were diverted into the city at the barricades, clogging frontage roads.
The CHP anticipated the closures could last until 2 p.m.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.