Los Angeles emergency officials say thousands of motorists are stranded on a stretch of freeway outside of the city after a tanker burst into flames Wednesday afternoon.

The tanker truck exploded on the 60 Freeway, which runs eastward from Los Angeles. The fire started near Paramount Boulevard in Montebello, and has prompted Los Angeles traffic officials to take alternate routes.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Drivers should expect "two- to three-hour delays at this point," said Officer Luis Mendoza, a public information officer for the California Highway Patrol.  "Avoid 60 all around."

Traffic is being diverted in both directions while the firefighters work to contain the blaze.  All lanes are closed and are not expected to open in time for the evening commute. It's unclear whether they will be open by morning, he said.

Eastbound traffic is being rerouted to Garfield and Wilcox avenues while westbound traffic is being redirected to San Gabriel Boulevard.

Mendoza suggests commuters take Interstate 10 or side streets like Beverly and Whittier boulevards to move past the area of the incident.

There were no injuries in this fire, and the driver is working with LAPD and LAFD to determine the cause. Officials say the brakes may have caused the blaze.

Currently, the 60 Freeway is closed between I-710 and I-605, and all vehicle traffic is being directed onto nearby surface streets.