Tanker Blast Ties Up Freeway for 3 Hours
A gasoline tanker blew up on the San Gabriel River Freeway in Long Beach, stopping northbound traffic for nearly three hours Saturday afternoon, but causing only minor injuries, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said.
A three-mile stretch of the freeway between Carson Street and the San Diego Freeway was closed while firefighters extinguished the flames.
Investigators said the explosion occurred when the three-axle tanker, carrying 4,000 gallons of gasoline, changed lanes, striking a passenger car and dragging it for 300 feet, igniting the tanker.
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