Downtown Santa Monica Partially Evacuated Due to Gas Leak

5.2.22: The Third Street Promenade was evacuated Monday afternoon, because a construction crew ruptured a gas main. Santa Monica Blvd. between second and fourth street, was evacuated. News helicopters are circling over head.

Santa Monica Fire engine companies and Southern California Gas Company crews were working on the problem as of 525 PM PST.

The ruptured line was said to be a high-pressure line 2 inches in diameter. The gas leak occurred on the promenade, Santa Monica‘s biggest tourist attraction after the pier. 50 to 60 businesses were evacuated and closed.

The crews were still working on the problem at 10:15 PM Monday night. Workmen told the press that they hoped to have the pipe repaired and the evacuation over by the morning commute hours.

Press release from Santa Monica Fire Dept dated 5.3.22: On Monday May 2nd at 3:02 p.m. Santa Monica Fire resources were dispatched to a reported “Gas Odor” in the area of 1410 Third Street. The first arriving Engine company quickly determined the incident to be a significant natural gas leak and requested additional resources including the SMFD Hazardous Materials Response Team. Fire crews deployed fire protection hose lines, prevented potential ignition sources, and began air monitoring of all adjacent buildings. Santa Monica Police Officers assisted with the evacuations of the 200 block of Santa Monica Blvd. and the 1330/1400 block of Third Street Promenade. So-Cal Gas arrived on scene to repair the leak. At approximately 8:00 p.m. the gas leak was successfully stopped. All evacuation orders were then lifted, and residents were allowed to return to the area.

The source of the natural gas was from an underground 2” gas line that was ruptured during a nearby construction project. There were no reported injuries due to the gas leak. Assisting agencies included Santa Monica Police, Santa Monica Office of Emergency Management, Santa Monica Public Works, So-Cal Gas Company, McCormick Ambulance, and LA County Department of Public Health. -- Capt. Patrick Nulty, SMFD.