Correction: Earlier reports initially said the accident was on the 210 east. The accident was on the 210 West. Patch regrets this error.
UPDATE, 2:58 p.m.: The accident is cleared and all lanes reopened, Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. The big rig driver managed to evacuate the big rig before it caught fire and did suffer any injuries, she added.
The accident prompted the CHP to shutdown at least two lanes. CalTrans also came on scene to clean up diesel spillage from the incident, Derderian said.
UPDATE, 1:50 p.m.: The CHP reports the accident is still not cleared.
Original: A big rig fire has slowed Thursday traffic on the west 210 Freeway just before the Sierra Madre exit. The incident occurred around noon.
Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said the big rig is fully engulfed in flames and additional units from Arcadia are also on scene.
The cause of the accident is unknown at this time.
Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.
bomb scare in north parking outside of JC Penny's when they saw the smoke. Just b/4 noon.
Thank you so much for weighing in. Not sure what you mean by "'pat' in the back," but I am the one who incorrectly told Natalie it was on the Eastbound 210. I was driving on the 210 West on my way to an appointment, which I was late for due to the traffic, while trying to reach one of my Patch colleagues to tell them about the traffic and fire and take quick photos of the scene with my iPhone. In the rush I incorrectly said, "210 East." I've lived in this area for about 10 years so I am well aware of the 210 freeway but made a mistake. Sincere apologies to everyone who was confused or frustrated by the error.
Dangerous major truck accidents and worse is what we can expect unless we do something. Barbara Messina has invested 28 years positioning herself on commissions and committees to punish and suppress any opposition to the expansion of the 710 project, especially Ara Najarian who was (until last week) on the METRO Board. Messina, the Mayor of Alhambra greatest wish is to accomplish her dream of the 710 Freeway so she's rallied committee members to kick anyone out that stands in the way of adding more lanes to the 710, attracting more traffic to the 710/210/134/5 fwys (causing greater density in emissions) and her favorite thing is -the tunnel-. The tunnel is a multi-billion $ twin-bore double decker 2x 4.5 mi length, no exit, TOLLway and built large enough to accommodate TRUCKS (the big rigs) TUNNEL--in an earthquake zone, a major hospital zone, intruding into the Arroyo Seco aquifers, and bringing direct harm to the residents of El Sereno, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Highland Park, Garvanza, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, Duarte... all along the routes. Please join in a letter writing campaign to stop this horrific nonsense. Send a letter to your mayor today. Tell your city representatives to renominate Mayor Najarian to the Metro Board of Directors.
PLEASE EMAIL YOUR SUPPORT FOR ARA NAJARIAN TO REMAIN ON MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS. TODAY'S CALL TO ACTION FLASH MOB EMAILS TO METRO & CALTRANS: MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS/EXECUTIVES EMAILS/CALTRANS DIRECTOR: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - mayor@lacity.org Mike Antonovich: fifthdistrict@lacbos.org Diane DuBois - kheit@gatewaycog.org Richard Katz - Katzr@scrra.net John Fasana - john.fasana@gmail.com Gloria Molina - molina@bos.lacounty.gov Mark Ridley-Thomas - drosenfeld@bos.lacounty.gov Pam O'Connor - Pam.Oconnor@smgov.net Zev Yaroslavsky - zev@bos.lacounty.gov Don Knabe/Rick Velasquez - rvelasquez@lacbos.org or Join Don on FB. Jose Huizar - Councilmember.Huizar@lacity.org Arthur T. Leahy (CEO Metro) - lacitywib@lacity.org Malcolm Dougherty - Caltrans.Director@dot.ca.gov
December 21, 2012 Dear Metro Board of Directors and Executives, RE: Los Angeles City Selection Committee vote to confirm the nomination of Mayor Ara Najarian, Glendale to the seat on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors. The City Selection Committee recently rejected the renomination of Ara Najarian to the Metro Board of Directors. Mr. Narajian represents the best interest on behalf of the San Fernando and San Gabriel valley regions by opposing the 710 tunnel and expansions. I do not support the efforts of Alhambra Mayor Barbara Messina and Duarte City Council Member John Fasana to inappropriately exert influence over the vote of cities they do not represent, and for themselves, in not protecting their own residents health and quality of life. Thank You , name address