Richmond Tanker Fire Closes I-80; Prompts Evacuations

RICHMOND, CA — Eastbound lanes of Interstate Highway 80 in Richmond reopened to traffic shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday. Westbound lanes were to remain closed for a few more hours while crews offload fuel from a tanker that caught fire, officials said.

Evacuations were ordered and later lifted Saturday after a gas tanker caught fire on I-80 in Richmond Saturday, shutting down both directions of the freeway. A motorcycle was involved in the collision with the tanker, according to the CHP, but information about injuries was not immediately available.

Residents in the Fairmede Hilltop and Rolling Hills Memorial Park areas can return home but are asked to remain inside, and close all windows and doors, according to an alert posted on the Contra Costa County Community Warning System site.

The semi tanker was carrying about 8,500 gallons of fuel and prompted evacuations to everyone within a half mile radius, KTVU reported Saturday.

"PLEASE AVOID THE AREA-Tanker truck fire between the Hilltop Mall and El Portal westbound lanes of I-80. Avoid Hilltop Mall, Shane Drive, and Rollingwood area. Use alternate routes," Richmond police tweeted Saturday.

The smokey blaze was reported shortly before 11 a.m., as flames were seen coming from the engine compartment of the semi on westbound I-80 near Hilltop Drive.

This is a breaking news story, please refresh for updates.

Bay City News contributed to this report.