Electric School Bus Fire Under LA Freeway Triggers Hazardous Materials Response

On the morning of December 10, 2025, thick smoke drifted from beneath the overpass of the 210 Freeway in Lake View Terrace. The source of the smoke was an electric school bus that had caught fire while parked under the bridge.

Incident Overview

The fire erupted in the 11460 block of West Foothill Boulevard, close to Hansen Dam. Video footage of the blaze was broadcast on NBC4 News at 11 a.m. The incident took place under a section of the 210 Freeway, a major artery in the northern San Fernando Valley.

No injuries were reported among residents or motorists. The Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed that no children were aboard the bus at the time of the incident. The driver, however, was hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Immediate Response

Firefighters and hazardous materials specialists arrived quickly. The LAFD hazardous materials team remained on scene to monitor air quality and water runoff after the fire was extinguished. The bus was powered by lithium‑ion batteries, which required several hours of observation to ensure no residual heat could trigger a secondary reaction.

Nearby freeway ramps were closed to aid cleanup efforts. The LAFD noted that details about the cause of the fire were not immediately available.

Lithium‑Ion Battery Risks

Lithium‑ion batteries can ignite at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. When damaged and overheated, they can ignite and even explode. Residual heat can trigger a reaction that may lead to combustion over days, weeks, or months. This makes firefighting in such incidents particularly challenging.

The LAFD highlighted that the monitoring of the batteries for several hours was necessary to mitigate the risk of a delayed ignition.

Related Incident in September 2024

The December 2025 event echoes a similar incident from September 2024. A truckload of lithium‑ion batteries exploded, blowing apart a cargo container that fell on its side in a big‑rig rollover crash near the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. Firefighters and a hazardous materials team formed a perimeter around the area, and a fire burned for hours inside the trailer.

Key Takeaways

• An electric school bus caught fire under the 210 Freeway on December 10, 2025.
• The driver was hospitalized for smoke inhalation; no children were on board and no injuries were reported.
• Hazardous materials teams monitored air quality and water runoff for several hours after the fire.
• Lithium‑ion batteries pose significant fire risks, requiring careful monitoring after incidents.
• A similar lithium‑ion battery explosion occurred in September 2024 near the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Closing Remarks

The incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols for electric vehicles, especially those used for public transportation. While the immediate response prevented injuries and contained the fire, it also highlighted the potential hazards associated with lithium‑ion battery technology. Authorities will likely review existing safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.