Big Rig Fire Closes 2 Bay Bridge Lanes [Updated]

UPDATE 10:05: Interstate 80 westbound lanes will be closed until noon.

While the BART strike has been postponed for a few days, getting across the bay was still a mess this morning. A big rig fire just off the Bay Bridge at the Fifth Street exit temporarily forced the closure of two westbound lanes.

The blaze broke out at around 5:34 this morning inside the truck's engine. "By 7 a.m., authorities said it would take an hour longer than usual to cross the bridge," reports the Chron. "It wasn't immediately clear what caused the fire or if anyone was injured."

Firefighters extinguished the fire at around 7 am. At of 8:30, only three lanes are opening on the westbound side. If you plan on taking the Bay Bridge into the city, expect major delays.

Images of this morning's fire and its aftermath:

Big rig fire on wb 80 off the bay bridge in sf. Huge visual distraction in downtown pic.twitter.com/VKgf7Asiho

— Bob Redell (@BobNBC) August 5, 2013

Fire contained. RT @KTVU Tough morning for Bay Bridge commuters. Viewer Martin Smirl sent this photo of big rig fire. pic.twitter.com/WX4xmkF0Vy

— Sal Castaneda (@sal_castaneda) August 5, 2013

PHOTO: Black smoke billows from big rig fire on the WB Bay Bridge skyway at 5th St. pic.twitter.com/OG1QbKWeh7

— KGO Radio (@kgoradio) August 5, 2013

PHOTO: Long backups on the approaches to the Bay Bridge toll plaza caused by earlier big-rig fire. pic.twitter.com/ZAEobSzw4z

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) August 5, 2013

[NBC Bay Area]
[Chron]
[SF Appeal]