Ruptured Gas Line Forces Evacuation
A contractor digging a trench accidentally ruptured an underground gas line on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of about 30 West Hollywood firms for more than an hour.
One bystander was treated for nausea at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said county Fire Department spokesman Henry Rodriguez.
A work crew ruptured the two-inch natural gas line in the 8900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard about 9:45 a.m., said Denise King, a spokeswoman for Southern California Gas Co.
Santa Monica Boulevard was closed between Robertson and San Vicente boulevards, and the northbound lanes of Robertson Boulevard were closed at Melrose Avenue, said Sheriff’s Deputy Kim Unland.
While they waited in West Hollywood Park for workers to secure the leaking pipe, some evacuated patrons and employees speculated about the possibility of an explosion.
“Some of the guys were scared,” said Starbucks employee Linda Cho, 27. “There were people [in the park] smoking, and [her co-workers said], ‘The whole place is going to explode!’ ”
Officials said procedures followed by gas company and fire department workers kept the danger to a minimum.
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