Laguna Beach Gas Leak Fixed, Evacuation Over

Laguna Beach Gas Leak Fixed, Evacuation Over
A Laguna Beach Police Department vehicle in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Dec. 15, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Rudy Blalock
3/6/2023
Updated:
12/30/2023
0:00

Some Laguna Beach streets were evacuated March 5 after a parked car fell into a sinkhole, causing a gas leak, according to authorities.

Around 7 a.m. South Coast Water District and Laguna Beach police and fire crews responded to a large amount of water reportedly running down 10th Avenue and spilling onto South Coast Highway.

Upon arriving, crews found a Range Rover in a large sinkhole on Sunset Avenue between 10thand 11th avenues. According to authorities, the vehicle severed a gas supply line when it fell into the hole.

There were no reported injuries. Surrounding homes on Sunset Avenue and Virginia Way were also evacuated between 10th and 11th avenues.

The leak was repaired at 10 a.m., allowing residents to return home, according to Laguna Beach officials.

Officials from the South Coast Water District said it’s too early for speculation, but the cause of the sinkhole could be from recent rain or an old water pipe, according to media reports.

Crews will remain onsite for cleanup and water and gas restoration for the affected homes, authorities said.

The water district told the Daily Pilot temporary water service was provided for seven affected homes.

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for The Epoch Times. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017, and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding—or at home meditating, which helps fuel his active lifestyle.
Related Topics