An electric school bus caught fire and became fully engulfed in flames Wednesday beneath the Foothill (210) Freeway in Lake View Terrace.
No children were aboard the bus when the fire was reported at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 11460 block of West Foothill Boulevard, near Hansen Dam, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The bus driver was taken to a hospital after reporting minor smoke inhalation complaints, LAFD spokeswoman Jennifer Middleton said.
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The burning vehicle, a Los Angeles Unified School District bus, prompted the closure of the eastbound and westbound Osborne Street off-ramps on the freeway and a Sigalert was issued, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The bulk of the fire was put out by 10:55 a.m., according to the LAFD, but Foothill Boulevard was closed in both directions at the 210 Freeway underpass for the cleanup effort.
"HazMat Units will continue to monitor air quality as well as water runoff due to the bus being powered by lithium ion batteries," Middleton said.
Crews were expected to remain at the scene for hours.
The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.
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