A fiery collision between two semi-trucks on the southbound 5 Freeway near Granada Hills resulted in critical injuries and a massive firefighting response on Wednesday afternoon. According to a Los Angeles Fire Department alert, the incident, filed as INC#0797, took place at around 12:17 PM and left one individual with severe burns.

Emergency services arriving at the scene quickly found that two semi-trucks were involved, with one truck engulfed in flames. An associated patient, now identified as one of the truck drivers, was critically wounded. Counter to what one could normally expect, swift action from passing motorists managed to help extinguish the flames on the driver's clothes and body before rescue teams arrived. The injured driver was subsequently transported to a local trauma center for treatment of critical burns. The LAFD account noted that no other individuals required medical attention as the other semi-truck was unoccupied.

In addition to the rapid medical response, 80 firefighters were dispatched to control and eventually knock down the fire. The official announcement indicated that it took 38 minutes for the team to extinguish the flames, primarily using foam solutions. The LAFD ensured that the spilled fuel and oil from the trucks were contained and remediated, averting further environmental damage to the area or local storm drains.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation by authorities. However, the detailed accounts provided by the LAFD include confirmation that the physical threats were contained swiftly and efficiently, with no additional injuries reported. Efforts to fully clear and safely reopen the freeway were ongoing. More information regarding the incident can be obtained from the California Highway Patrol Log 1309, which has been liaising closely to practically assure public safety and manage the unfolding situation on one of the city’s major thoroughfares.