Massive fire closes major Los Angeles road
No-one was injured in the incident on Interstate 10.
A major road near the centre of Los Angeles was closed as a massive fire ravaged land underneath it.
The fire sent towering flames into the night sky in the early hours of Saturday. Dawn revealed twisted guardrails and blackened, chipped concrete at an Interstate 10 overpass in an industrial zone.
The California Department of Transportation sent personnel to inspect the road, with diversions set up to ease snarled up traffic.
Democratic governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and directed the state Department of Transportation to request assistance from the federal government.
“The state is mobilising resources and taking steps to ensure any necessary repairs are completed as soon as possible to minimise the impact on those travelling in and around Los Angeles,” MR Newsom said.
The cause of the fire has not been disclosed.
More than 160 firefighters from 26 companies responded to the blaze, which spread across eight acres and burned parked cars and damaged a support for high-tension power lines.
Fire department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said no injuries from the fire had been reported.
