LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- A major freeway in Southern California was shut down for several hours Saturday, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for thousands of nearby residents after a natural gas pipeline ruptured.
The rupture, first reported around 4:20 p.m. local time (0020 GMT Sunday) in the community of Castaic in northwestern Los Angeles County, prompted the closure of Interstate 5 for nearly four hours. The freeway is a major north-south route of the U.S. Interstate Highway System, running largely parallel to the Pacific Coast.
California's Governor's Office of Emergency Services said in a post on social media platform X that it was working closely with local and state partners to ensure public safety for communities near the rupture, noting that "this situation is very dynamic."
Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said firefighters and utility crews remained on the scene following the rupture of a 34-inch (around 86-centimeter) natural gas transmission line. A shelter-in-place order was temporarily issued for six zones in the area.
Fire officials noted that some residents might smell natural gas in the air, but emphasized that "this is not harmful and poses no immediate danger to residents." Hazardous materials specialists from the department will continue monitoring air quality.
The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) said in a news release that it was notified of a potential pipeline break near Interstate 5 and Lake Hughes Road in Castaic on Saturday.
"SoCalGas crews have safely isolated the damaged section of pipeline, stopping the leak," the company said. "There are no indications at this time of an ignition or explosion."
The company added that the cause of the rupture has not yet been determined, but noted that "significant land movement has been observed near the break." ■