The lithium-ion battery fire on I-880 in Hayward could keep southbound lanes closed for up to 18 hours due to hazardous chemical smoke concerns

By Jason Green
Bay Area News Group

HAYWARD, Calif. — A Tesla semi-truck burst into flames Tuesday on Interstate 880 in Hayward, triggering a closure of all southbound lanes that could extend well into Wednesday, authorities said.

The incident unfolded around 5:45 p.m. just north of Highway 92, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Rolando Guzman. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

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Guzman said the CHP closed I-880 in both directions “due to the potential risk of hazardous chemical smoke.”

Northbound lanes reopened around 8:40 p.m., but southbound lanes could remain closed for 18 hours, or until the fire consuming the Tesla’s lithium-ion battery cells is fully extinguished, according to Guzman.

As of 9 p.m., the California Department of Transportation was en route to conduct a hard closure, Guzman said. Traffic is being diverted off the freeway at Winton Avenue.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

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