Leaking Gasoline Vapors Force 300 to Be Evacuated
Potentially explosive gasoline vapors rising from sewer lines forced the evacuation of about 300 people from a four-block commercial area in Hollywood for about four hours Friday, authorities said.
Los Angeles Fire Department units responding at 11:25 a.m. to a report of gasoline odors in the restroom of a Melrose Avenue building discovered a 100% concentration of gasoline vapors in the air near the intersection of Highland and Willoughby avenues, according to fire battalion Chief Don Mello.
Firefighters ordered an immediate evacuation of the area and pumped 70 gallons of foam concentrate into the sewer system, Mello said. By 4 p.m., vapor readings had dropped to zero--although the scent of gasoline lingered in the air--and employees were allowed back into their offices.
Fourteen fire companies responded to the incident, and roads were blocked off, causing traffic congestion through most of the afternoon.
The source of the contamination was not immediately determined.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
