Beverly Hills entertainment companies evacuated due to ruptured gas line

A ruptured subterranean gas line at a construction site in Beverly Hills has caused the evacuation of the offices of several entertainment companies located along Civic Center Drive and nearby streets.

The accident occurred at a construction site at 9357 W. 3rd St., where a city of Beverly Hills public works warehouse is being built.

Among the companies forced to evacuate around 3 p.m. were Participant Media, United Talent Agency, Live Nation and Playboy, said Therese Kosterman, public information manager for the city of Beverly Hills.

[UPDATE, 6:12 p.m.: Beverly Hills says the rupture has been fixed and evacuees are being allowed back into the buildings.]

Kosterman said that no injuries have been reported in conjunction with the accident, which occurred during routine construction activity. The severed line is being repaired by Southern California Gas Co. with support from the Beverly Hills Fire Department, which is managing the evacuation.

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The evacuation covers the area just east of Beverly Hills City Hall that is bounded by Civic Center Drive, Foothill Road and West 3rd Street.

The severed line will likely not be repaired until sometime this evening, said Kosterman.

Jim Berk, chief executive of Participant, a film and television production company located on Foothill, said that he sent the company’s 180 employees to nearby hotels “to have a drink and work remotely.”

“We will see how that combo works relative to productivity,” he joked.

Berk said the incident has given his company a “good excuse to celebrate” its launch of a new television network last week.

On Aug. 1, Participant debuted Pivot, a cable and satellite channel targeting young adults. “Fortunately, everyone is on such a high,” Berk said.

Representatives for UTA and Live Nation confirmed their offices also were evacuated.

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