OAKLAND – A vehicle caught fire Monday night, causing the Posey Tube to be closed for hours, authorities said.
The fire was reported around 7:30 p.m., the Alameda Fire Department said in a social media post.
Oakland and Alameda fire crews extinguished the blaze in about 15 minutes and ushered drivers and passengers to safety, according to authorities. No injuries were reported.
The first arriving fire units reported smoke coming from the top of the tunnel. Oakland firefighters went into the tunnel and found a pickup truck on fire about 1,900 feet into the tunnel from the Oakland side, according to a statement from the Alameda Fire Department.
The tunnel’s ventilation system was activated to help fire crews fight the blaze and those trying to evacuate the tube.
Several members evacuated the tunnel by walking or running from their cars. Those who evacuated all gathered in the same area and returned to their cars after crews put the fire out.
The tunnel was open again at 9:10 p.m.
Fire officials said they are investigating and do not know what caused the pickup truck to go ablaze.
Staff writer Rick Hurd contributed to this story.
