Gas Line Secured In Hollywood, Allowing Dozens Evacuated To Return Home

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The natural gas line that ruptured in Hollywood Saturday, forcing dozens to evacuate their homes, has been fully secured and gas has been restored, officials say.

A ruptured gas line was reported in the 1700 block of North Cahuenga Boulevard around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, according to a LAFD spokesperson.

LAFD's Brian Humphrey said the line was "fully secured in pre-dawn hours" Sunday and was no longer leaking.

Six buildings were evacuated as crews worked to shut off the gas.

"We thought we were only going to be gone for a couple of hours, and it turned out to be all night long," resident Mark Very said. "All of a sudden we hear this knocking, and you know 'Fire department, gas leak, get out, get out,' and we're like 'what'."

Humphrey said with the exception of approximately five dozen residents of Halifax Apartments, located in the 6300 block of Yucca Avenue, who were still being evaluated, all residents in the area had been allowed to rehouse. The remaining residents were expected to be permitted to return to their homes shortly.

The American Red Cross set up an evacuation center a few blocks from the site of the leak.

"While a few residents have been examined for general malaise following exposure to fumes, none has required hospitalization," Humphrey stated.

A preliminary investigation meanwhile revealed a six-inch gas line was damaged by a third-party crew working for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

There has been no fire.

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