An underground gas line rupture possibly caused by a landslide shut down all lanes of the Golden State (5) Freeway in the Castaic area Saturday as crews worked to turn off the gas, which was accomplished nearly four hours later.
The initial call of the ruptured gas line and possible explosion came about by 4:20 p.m. Saturday on a hill above the Golden State Freeway just north of Lake Hughes Road, California Highway Patrol Officer M. Curtiss told City News Service.
Video from the scene showed a large cloud of debris floating toward the freeway and a loud whoosh sound could be heard.
Area resident Philip Perry told KeyNews that he heard an explosion and his house shook. He heard a sound similar to a jet engine when he went outside and saw a cloud.
SoCal Gas reported just before 8 p.m. that the gas had been shut down to the pipeline.
“SoCalGas crews have safely isolated the damaged section of pipeline, stopping the leak,” spokeswoman Erica Berardi said. “The cause of the break has not been determined. Once remaining natural gas in the damaged pipeline section is safely vented, crews will assess the damage and make repairs to the pipeline.”
There was no risk to the public, she said. People in the area and nearby communities might still smell a natural gas odor.
Meanwhile, L.A. County Fire Department Capt. Brian Kight said about 14,900 area residents should still shelter in place with windows and doors closed while gas in the area dissipated.
The raw egg smell of natural gas was reported to the Los Angeles Fire Department from residents in Granada Hills, Porter Ranch and Sylmar. LAFD spokeswoman Jennifer Middleton relayed that the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed the gas line rupture. The Gas Company and county fire department were working to contain the leak.
There was no immediate threat in the city of Los Angeles, Middleton said.
The CHP issued a SigAlert shutting down both sides of the Golden State Freeway, with northbound traffic diverted to state Route 126 and southbound traffic diverted to Pearblossom Highway (state Route 138), Curtiss said.
She said the freeway lanes remained closed at about 8 p.m., despite news media reports that traffic was allowed to more on the freeway again.