Big Rig Blows Up On 5 Freeway In San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A big rig traveling on the Interstate 5 freeway northbound in San Clemente caught fire and exploded Thursday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported.

CHP Lieutenant Noel Coady told Patch that no one was harmed in the incident.

"Nothing other than the cab caught fire and there was no collision," Coady said. "Based on what I can see, it was probably an electric or mechanical fire."

The fire was reported at 12:57 p.m. on the freeway near El Camino Real, when an 18-wheeler holding loads of combustible tanks was seen with flames beneath its cab.

The incident shut down all lanes of the freeway Thursday afternoon, creating a stand-still on the freeway stretching back miles.