Gas leak paralyzes intersection of Sunset and La Cienega Blvd

The intersection of Sunset and La Cienega boulevards in West Hollywood has been closed due to a natural gas leak. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Pete Demetriou of KNX News reports that a construction crew working in the area damaged the gas line early Monday morning.

The leak was first discovered around 9:59 a.m. when workers were digging into the foundation and accidentally damaged a five-centimeter-thick high-pressure gas line about 1.5 meters deep in the ground.

They immediately evacuated the area and called the fire department.

The fire brigade managed to evacuate about 50 people, both workers on site and in the immediately adjacent buildings and businesses.

They also had to close Sunset Boulevard, about a block west and a block east, as well as La Cienega to the bottom of the hill.

The good news is that there is adequate ventilation to prevent a fuel-air explosion and the fire department is on hand to deal with any problems that may arise.

Official estimates suggest the gas company may need another two hours to completely seal the leak, test the line, repressurize it, let everyone in and finally allow traffic through the area.

A statement from the sheriff said: “The Southern California Gas Company and the Los Angeles County Fire Department are on scene and working to resolve the issue. There is currently no danger… (and) the area/businesses/residents have been notified.”

City News Service contributed to this article.

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