OAKLAND, Calif. – All lanes are now open on connecting freeways that were closed Monday morning due to a fire at a homeless encampment under the Interstate 880 overpass near the MacArthur Maze in West Oakland.
The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. near Wood and 34th streets near the Emeryville border and quickly engulfed dozens of vehicles, including at least 20 cars and several RVs that were parked under the highway.
Heavy smoke from the fire blocked nearby freeways and westbound I-80 to southbound I-880 was shut down and drivers were diverted to the Bay Bridge toll plaza. The eastbound I-580 connector was also shut down, according to the California Highway Patrol.
About 65 firefighters were needed to battle the blaze, which in addition to burning the vehicles, ignited about 50 yards of a large, unused train trestle, Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt said.
The fire was extinguished around 2:15 p.m., when the California Highway Patrol announced that the highways were reopened to traffic.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and no injuries have been reported.This story is evolving. Please check back for updates.
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