Traffic mess: Tanker fire on MacArthur Maze, crash at Bay Bridge toll plaza

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Tuesday became a traffic nightmare for many early-morning commuters in the Bay Area.

At about 5 a.m., there was a crash on the Bay Bridge at the toll plaza, causing headaches for early morning commuters trying to get from Oakland to San Francisco.

Then, a half hour later, flames started spewing out of a tanker carrying cooking oil along the MacArthur Maze. According to the California Highway Patrol log, all lanes were blocked on the westbound Interstate Highway 580 connector to the westbound Interstate Highway 80 about 5:35 a.m.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire by 6 a.m. but the residual delays were already set in motion.