The ARCO-branded tanker was carrying approximately 9,000 gallons of gasoline when it caught fire, spilling gasoline product on the highway.
Both the north and south-bound lanes of traffic on the 710 Freeway near the Firestone Exit were shut-down in order to manage the incident and protect commuters from the hazardous area on the impacted stretch of highway.
In addition, approximately 150 residents at a nearby apartment complex were evacuated as a result, but were quickly allowed to return to their homes.
BP's emergency and environmental response crews were dispatched to the scene of the incident, along with the Los Angeles Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Los Angeles County Health Department to contain and clean-up the spill and protect the public.
No other automobile drivers were involved in the accident. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
"We are very saddened by the loss of our driver," said Nancy Carter, vice president of BP Products, North America Inc. "He was a veteran employee and member of the ARCO and BP family. Our hearts go out to his family and our other employees in the BP transportation system."
The clean up of the impacted area included vacuuming the nearby storm drain of water, gasoline residual and fire preventive foam that was used to suppress the fire. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and company personnel are continuing to work on the accident investigation.
