Los Angeles

Third-Party Contractor Causes Natural Gas Leak In Downey Prompting Evacuations

April 22, 2021 / 3:45 PM PDT / KCAL News

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DOWNEY (CBSLA) — A natural gas leak was reported in Downey Thursday afternoon prompting temporary evacuations in the area.

(credit: CBSLA)

At approximately 10:34 a.m., SoCalGas crews received reports of a damaged natural gas line in the vicinity of 7800 Stewart and Gray Road.

An emergency alert was sent to many southland residents' mobile devices around 12:40 p.m.

The Downey Fire Department later said they have a new system for emergency alerts that was being tested Thursday. When they sent the alert for the gas leak, the parameters were not set correctly in the new system and it went to the whole county instead of just Downey residents.

According to SoCalGas, the damage appeared to have been caused by a third-party contractor working in the area.

People are being advised to avoid the area.

IQ Air said while air quality is still being reported as "good," people should close windows and doors, run an air purifier, and avoid going outside.

#SoCal residents: a natural gas leak has been reported in #Downey.

While air quality is still being reported as "good," be sure to:
✔️Close windows and doors
✔️Run an air purifier
✔️Avoid the outdoors pic.twitter.com/4nlfItPomc
— IQAir (@IQAir) April 22, 2021

A 300-foot square area was evacuated and the Downey Fire Department was standing by to assist the gas company if needed.

As of 1:30 p.m., the fire department was monitoring the gas levels to make sure the evacuation perimeter did not need to be expanded.

Road closures were in place from Stewart and Gray Rd. from Paramount Blvd. to Rives Ave.

There were no injuries immediately reported and the situation was considered stable, the department said.

Downey