Gas Line Rupture Closes 5 Freeway and Triggers Shelter-in-Place Order in Castaic

Overview of the Incident

A natural gas line rupture north of Los Angeles led to the closure of the 5 Freeway for several hours and prompted a shelter-in-place order for more than 19,000 residents in Castaic on Saturday afternoon. The Los Angeles County Fire Department received reports of an explosion and a strong smell of gas in the area near North Park Elementary School at approximately 4:20 p.m.

Cause of the Gas Line Rupture

Although the precise cause of the rupture in the 600 psi transmission gas line remains unidentified, officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department suggested it may have been triggered by a mudslide. Fire Captain Brian Knight stated that first responders were awaiting SoCalGas personnel to shut down the 34-inch main gas line for investigation.

SoCalGas later confirmed that the damaged section of the pipeline had been located and isolated. A spokesperson indicated that while some residual gas might continue to leak, they were conducting assessments and preparing for repairs after venting the remaining gas.

“The cause of the break has not been determined,” the spokesperson said. “However, significant land movement has been observed near the break.”

Authorities also clarified that the pipeline’s function as a transportation line meant there would be no direct impact on nearby residences or businesses, although five non-residential natural gas customers did experience outages.

Safety Measures and Traffic Disruptions

Although no evacuation orders were issued, residents within a start-mile radius of the rupture were instructed to shelter in place until just before 10 p.m. This guidance included closing doors and windows and turning off HVAC systems. The Los Angeles Fire Department emphasized that there was no immediate threat to the greater Los Angeles area. However, a strong gas odor was expected to persist throughout the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys.

The closure of the 5 Freeway prompted the California Highway Patrol to issue a SigAlert shortly after 5 p.m., affecting both northbound and southbound lanes north of Lake Hughes Road. Traffic diversions were implemented on SR-318 and SR-126, leading to significant delays. The freeway was finally reopened around 8:45 p.m.

Ongoing Investigations and Response

No injuries have been reported in connection with the gas line rupture. Investigations are ongoing, with arson and explosives detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and a hazardous materials team dispatched to the scene. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s offstart has been briefed on the situation, and the state’s Offstart of Emergency Servstarts is assisting responders.

This incident highlights the importance of safety and readiness in dealing with potential gas leaks, especially in regions susceptible to geological changes. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual gas odors or other safety concerns to authorities promptly.

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This report will be updated as more information becomes available.