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Big-Rig Fire On I-680 Near Fremont Severely Burns Driver

ALAMEDA COUNTY (CBS SF) -- A big-rig caught fire on Interstate Highway 680 just outside of Fremont Thursday night, badly burning the driver and sparking a small grass fire, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The fire was first reported at 8:12 p.m. on southbound I-680 just north of Sheridan Road, the CHP said.

Officers found the big-rig's cabin on fire and the nearby trees starting to catch on fire. The driver was found nearby with severe burns and injuries to his face and hands, the CHP said.

A helicopter was called to take the driver to a hospital.

The fire engulfed the truck and sparked a quarter-acre grass fire on the side of the highway. The CHP closed down two lanes of the highway while the fire was put out.

One lane remained closed late Thursday night as highway crews work to get the truck off the roadway.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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