Dozens Of Fed Up Hawthorne Residents Want To Know When They Can Go Home
HAWTHORNE (CBSLA.com) — Dozens of Hawthorne residents met Saturday evening to share their frustrations at being unable to go home for more than a week due to a dangerous methane gas leak.
Scores of residents, about 125 in all, in the area of Imperial Highway and Truro Avenue have been evacuated as a safety precaution.
Adrianna Weingold was at the meeting and heard from many of the frustrated residents.
The leak began nine days and work crews have been working around the clock trying to figure out how to cap the leak.
"Safety is our primary concern here," said Patrick Scanlon of Golden State Water Company. "That's what we want to emphasize. When you are released (to go back to your homes) you have no concerns at all about the safety of your neighborhood."
The power company and officials met with residents in an effort to allay their fears.
Many residents wondered if they were exposed to dangerous levels of methane before the leak was discovered.
"You might not see the affects on me right now, but what about down the road with me inhaling this stuff or just being there," said Andres Gaspar. "They're saying it's zero right now, but what about (last) Tuesday and Wednesday."
Residents also wanted to know why it took authorities so long to call a meeting in the first place.
"It seems to be in certain terms a song and dance around the actual questions. We aren't getting anywhere," Richard Cooks, an evacuee, said.
