Tanker Explosion on Southern California Freeway Caught on Camera

Published: 8/24/2018, 4:26:13 PM EDT

Tanker Explosion on Southern California Freeway Caught on Camera — A tanker fire can be seen on the 105 Freeway in Hawthorne, California on Aug. 24. (Screenshot/Keith Landers)

A fuel tanker collision and explosion on the 105 Freeway near the Los Angeles International Airport caused two deaths and prompted all lanes to close in the early hours of Aug. 24.

The double-tanker truck reportedly collided with an SUV and hit the center divider on the westbound side of the freeway at around 5:00 a.m. near the Crenshaw Boulevard exit in the city of Hawthorne, according to the Orange County Register.

Gasoline from the tanker spilled onto the freeway and caught fire, prompting the explosion. The fuel was reported to have spread across all lanes and into the brush on the shoulder, and firefighters quickly rushed in to keep the fire from reaching nearby structures.

The two drivers of the vehicles were said to be the victims of the crash.

Meanwhile, Metro train service was disrupted along the Green Line between the Hawthorne/Lennox and Vermont/Athens stations due to the tanker fire on the freeway, and buses were sent to transport people around the closed area.

Many people who were traveling to work or to the LAX airport were stuck on the freeway. Stranded food trucks could even be seen setting up shop and opening to allow the commuters to buy breakfast.

The eastbound lanes of the 105 reopened at about 8:00 a.m., while the fuel cleanup and freeway inspection in westbound lanes continued for hours.