A semitrailer truck carrying boxes of cheese caught fire Friday and crashed on a freeway in the northern San Fernando Valley.
The southbound 5 Freeway in Sun Valley was closed for the cargo and fuel spill cleanup. Engineers also are checking for damage on a freeway overpass.
The big rig struck a guardrail at about 4 a.m. near the 5 Freeway Penrose Street exit. The flames were doused in less than 30 minutes, but fuel and boxes of cheese spilled on the freeway, according to California Highway Patrol.
The driver of the big rig was hospitalized in good condition.
Traffic was diverted to exit on Lankershim Boulevard until lanes reopened around midday.
