SigAlert: Fuel Leak Shuts Down 5 Freeway For Hours

LA MIRADA, CA — A fiery big rig crash triggered a full freeway shutdown on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway in the La Mirada Monday, backing up traffic for ten hours.

As of 1:23 p.m., all lanes of both directions on the free were blocked, according to the California Highway Patrol, which issued a long-term SigAlert. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Traffic is being diverted onto Beach and Artesia boulevards.

The two-vehicle crash involving a big rig on the southbound Santa Ana (5) Freeway shut down both sides of the freeway after scattering debris across the lanes and a fuel leak that triggered a fire. Officials estimate about 300 gallons of spilled diesel fuel and other fluids such as and non-toxic glycolic acid, a substance used in beauty supply products, leaked onto the roadway. The fuel spilled onto the southbound lanes and then spread onto the northbound lanes, and a hazardous materials team was sent to the scene, the fire department reported.

Several southbound lanes were blocked in the area -- along with all northbound lanes -- as efforts continued into the early afternoon to clean up debris and about 300 gallons of spilled diesel fuel and other fluids.

The non-injury crash was reported about 10:15 a.m. south of Valley View Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

At about 1:30 p.m., all southbound lanes also were closed for the cleanup effort, according to Caltrans.

The freeway was cleared and all lanes were reopened at about 8:20 p.m., according to Caltrans.

City News Service contributed to this report.