Chemical Spill Forces Harbor Freeway Closure

A spill of swimming pool chemicals on the Harbor Freeway Wednesday created a small toxic cloud, forcing the closure of the freeway at the start of morning rush hour, authorities said.

The spill occurred about 4:45 a.m. after a two-vehicle collision in the southbound lanes near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Los Angeles and affected traffic until nearly 8 a.m., CHP officials said.

One person was slightly injured when a Corvette swerved to avoid a tire on the freeway and clipped a pickup truck in the next lane, sending both vehicles spinning into the center divider.

Four of the gallon containers of muriatic acid and chlorine carried on the truck spilled, CHP Officer Lydia Martinez said. A resulting small chemical cloud was visible for about 20 minutes. Because both chemicals can be dangerous if inhaled, the CHP closed the freeway.