CITY OF INDUSTRY (CBSLA.com) — A stretch of the Pomona (60) Freeway was shut down on Monday after a compressed-gas cylinder of carbon dioxide exploded on the back of a truck in the City of Industry.

Firefighters were sent to the 2000 block of South Holford Street about 11:30 a.m., said county fire Inspector Brian Riley.

As many as 20 carbon dioxide canisters tumbled out of the truck after the explosion, Riley said.

Authorities closed the eastbound 60 east of the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway as a precaution, and also closed the transition roads from the 605 Freeway to the eastbound 60, the California Highway Patrol reported.

All lanes were reopened around 1:45 p.m., according to KNX 1070′s Mike Baez.

An effort by firefighters to release the pressure from the cylinders continued into the early afternoon, according to Riley.

Several homes in the general area were evacuated as a precaution, Riley said.

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