Tesla semi-truck bursts into flames, shuts down I-880 in Hayward
HAYWARD, Calif. -- A Tesla semi caught fire Tuesday evening on Interstate Highway 880 in Hayward, shutting down the freeway, the California Highway Patrol said.
At about 5:35 p.m., a big rig truck caught fire in the southbound lanes of I-880 near Route 92 in Hayward. The semi's lithium battery caught fire, the CHP said, and not only posed a danger due to dangerous fumes, but fires such as this are also incredibly difficult to extinguish. The truck's driver told the CHP that the rig simply caught fire and they didn't know why.
By 5:45, the CHP had shut down both north and southbound lanes from Winton Avenue to Route 92 due to potential risks from hazardous smoke. The northbound lanes were reopened at 8:40 p.m.
The CHP said at 7:45 p.m. that the fire was expected to burn for between 15 and 18 hours and that the southbound lanes of I-880 would remain closed until it was out.
No one was injured and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
