A reported leak from a rupture in a gas line in northern Los Angeles County prompted authorities to urge nearby residents to remain indoors and temporarily shut down a major Southern California highway on Saturday, snarling traffic for miles.
Officials said the Castaic gas line rupture involved a 34-inch gas main located just east of the southbound lanes of Interstate 5, a key route linking Southern and Northern California. The incident unfolded in the Castaic area, north of Los Angeles, where emergency crews and utility workers responded to secure the site and assess the damage.
Timeline: call came in late afternoon Saturday
Capt. Brian Kight, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said the initial call about the leak came in around 4:20 p.m. local time Saturday. He said there were no reports of explosions associated with the leak and no reported injuries.
Aerial footage from local television showed clouds that appeared to be natural gas drifting through the air near the area of the reported leak. As the situation developed, authorities set a safety perimeter and deployed specialized teams, including hazmat crews, to monitor conditions and support the response.
Shelter-in-place order later lifted
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby neighborhoods, instructing residents to stay inside, close doors, windows and vents, and shut off HVAC systems. The order impacted an estimated 14,900 people and was lifted earlier Sunday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
After the order was lifted, fire officials emphasized there was no danger to the public. The agency also warned that some people might still notice the smell of gas in the air for a time, even after the leak had been stopped.
Officials address odor reports miles from the leak
Even as the rupture was centered in Castaic, some residents reported smelling gas from areas farther away. The Los Angeles Fire Department said there was no immediate threat in the city of Los Angeles, despite reports of odor in communities well beyond the incident site.
The L.A. County Fire Department said Sunday that lingering natural gas odor may continue to be noticeable for some residents. “Some residents may smell an odor of natural gas in the air — please note this is not harmful and poses no immediate danger to residents,” the department said.
Highway closure triggers miles of backups
The California Highway Patrol shut down both directions of Interstate 5 for several hours as a precaution, creating major backups. Drivers reported being stuck for extended periods, and footage from local TV showed a long stretch of brake lights as post-holiday travelers found themselves at a standstill.
Interstate 5 is one of California’s most important transportation corridors, and closures can quickly ripple across surrounding routes. The shutdown forced detours and congestion on alternate highways as traffic was redirected around the closure zone.
All lanes reopened a few hours later, according to local reports, after officials stated that conditions were stabilized enough to resume traffic flow.
SoCalGas says the leak was stopped, and no ignition was detected
A spokesperson for Southern California Gas Co. said later Sunday that crews identified the damaged section of pipeline Saturday night and stopped the leak. The utility said no cause had been identified at that time.
SoCalGas said there were no indications of an ignition or explosion linked to the rupture. However, the utility noted that “significant land movement” had been observed near the site of the break, a detail that investigators are expected to examine as they determine what caused the line to fail.
Crews continued assessing the extent of damage and developing a repair plan, SoCalGas said.
State response coordinated through Cal OES
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the governor had been briefed on what it described as a “commercial gas pipeline rupture.” The California Office of Emergency Services was assisting with coordination, according to the governor’s office.
Officials did not immediately provide a timeline for repairs or explain how long work would continue around the affected section of pipe. Utility crews and public safety personnel remained focused on the immediate safety zone while planning next steps for repairs and site stabilization.
What happens next
Authorities said the cause of the rupture remains under investigation. That process typically involves reviewing site conditions, examining the failed section of pipe, and assessing environmental factors such as soil movement.
In the near term, officials said residents should follow any local guidance if they live near the incident area, especially if crews return for repair work. While the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, responders have indicated that some odor and visible work activity may persist as the damaged section is addressed and the area is made safe for long-term operation.
Sources:
ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC) – “Natural gas leak causes major disruption on 5 Freeway in Castaic”
