Overturned big rig in Whittier area forces closure of 605 Freeway connector for hours

An overturned big rig caught fire Sunday on the 605 Freeway in unincorporated Whittier, forcing a closure of a section of the freeway for at least five hours to allow for guardrail repair and removal of the big rig.

The crash occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on the connector road from the eastbound 60 Freeway to the northbound 605 Freeway, the California Highway Patrol reported, adding that no one was injured in the crash.

The driver of the big rig was able to get himself out of the vehicle.

A Sigalert was issued at 7:53 a.m. closing the number one and two lanes of the connector road for an unknown duration. The Sigalert was updated at 8:02 a.m. to clarify that the closure will be for at least five hours.