Gas leak prompts around 30 homes to be evacuated in Whittier

A natural gas leak prompted the evacuation of around 75 people from over 30 homes in Whittier Thursday morning.

The evacuation orders were lifted after SoCalGas completed repairs and tested the air quality inside each of the homes.

The leak was first reported around 1:30 a.m. in the 7500 block of Vicki Drive and Coolhurst Drive and residents in the area were evacuated.

Representatives with Southern California Gas were on the scene and worked with the Los Angeles County Fire Department to determine the cause of the leak.

The Red Cross was assisting families who were temporarily displaced by setting up an evacuation center at Phelan Language Academy located at 7150 Culley Avenue. 

SoCalGas had the leak capped by about 8 a.m., and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Repair work was continuing on the 3-inch gas line that ruptured.

An investigation into the cause of the leak was continuing.