110 Freeway Reopens Following Fire in Decommissioned Utility Tunnel

The 110 Freeway in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles fully reopened Wednesday afternoon following a fire in a decommissioned utility tunnel that disrupted traffic for nearly two days. The blaze, first reported Monday at approximately 8:50 p.m., occurred in a 150- to 200-foot-long tunnel once used by a local oil refinery. While southbound lanes reopened Tuesday morning, three northbound lanes remained closed until Wednesday afternoon following a structural assessment by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Firefighters encountered significant challenges due to the tunnel’s narrow 4-by-4-foot entrance and the presence of debris, including mattresses, clothing, and cardboard. To extinguish the fire, crews pumped 150,000 gallons of water and foam into the space, later using vacuum trucks to remove the mixture. Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) officials utilized drones and robots to search the interior and confirmed there was no evidence that anyone was trapped inside during the incident.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though officials noted evidence of a homeless encampment at the site. Mayor Karen Bass’s office and LAFD personnel confirmed the presence of personal belongings within the access portal. Outreach workers from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority stated that an encampment on a nearby trail typically houses about 10 people, though only six were present during the most recent visit on April 29.

Caltrans engineers cleared the freeway for full use after inspecting the tunnel for structural weaknesses, such as metal burning or material delamination. Despite the reopening, the incident has sparked a dispute over maintenance responsibilities. Councilmember Tim McOsker criticized Caltrans for failing to secure the tunnel, while Caltrans spokespeople stated the decommissioned utility tunnel is not state property and is not maintained by the agency.