Natural gas odor prompts brief evacuations in Glendale

The odor of natural gas wafting across Central Glendale prompted multiple evacuations Wednesday morning as firefighters worked to determine the source.

The Glendale police department and City Hall complex, as well as the Los Angeles County Superior Courthouse on Broadway, were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.

Reports of a “strong odor” of natural gas were reported from the 200 to 800 blocks of North Brand Boulevard, and east to the City Hall complex on Broadway and Isabel Street, city spokesman Tom Lorenz said.

The source of the odor was never found, but crews ruled out any gas lines in Glendale.

“It’s not uncommon for odors to be carried in the air,” Lorenz said.

On Tuesday, police had to temporarily evacuate businesses and apartments after construction crews broke a gas line at San Fernando Road and Western Avenue.

--Jason Wells, Times Community News

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