Local News in Brief : Mishap Yields Gas Cloud
A rubber seal on a cap on an abandoned oil well east of downtown Los Angeles burst Monday morning, releasing gas that formed a vapor cloud and forced the closure of surrounding streets, authorities said.
No injuries were reported and no evacuations ordered, but city Fire Department spokesman Michael Hallett said the gas spewed out unchecked and had formed a “smoke-like white” cloud over the industrial area.
“We think it’s a non-flammable gas, so there’s no danger of an explosion,” Hallett said.
Following the 9:07 a.m. incident, police cordoned off several streets leading into the area, including the 4th Street bridge over Santa Fe Avenue.
Hallett said the gas was escaping from an old, abandoned oil well owned by Sampson Oil Co. of Gardena. The rubber seal on the cap on the well failed and blew off, apparently because it had deteriorated.
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