Sylmar, CA — Chaos and gridlock unfolded on the 5 Freeway Saturday evening after a semi-truck hauling Teslas burst into flames, shutting down multiple lanes and sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said crews were dispatched just after 5:30 p.m. near Balboa Boulevard, where they arrived to find the big rig and several of the vehicles it was carrying fully engulfed in fire. Dozens of firefighters worked swiftly to contain the blaze and prevent further spread as flames consumed portions of the truck’s trailer.

Miraculously, the truck’s driver managed to escape unharmed before the fire intensified. Authorities have not yet confirmed what sparked the fire, but witnesses described seeing flames rapidly spreading across the trailer, followed by explosions from the burning vehicles.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued a SigAlert as both northbound and southbound traffic was impacted by the emergency response and heavy smoke. Eastbound traffic was detoured onto the 14 Freeway, but congestion stretched for miles as drivers attempted to navigate alternate routes. Officials said there was no estimated time for a full reopening of the freeway late Saturday night.

Motorists were urged to avoid the area entirely and to keep clear of the thick smoke, which posed a hazard not only to visibility but also to air quality for nearby neighborhoods.

No injuries were reported, but the damage to the truck and several high-value vehicles is significant. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fire can spread on Southern California freeways, putting lives, property, and infrastructure at risk.

As investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze, the community is left shaken by another fiery incident on one of the region’s busiest freeways — a disruption that underscores both the unpredictability of the road and the importance of quick response from first responders.