Gas: The Santa Monica Fire Department HazMat team responded to the site of what was described as a “major gas leak” on Monday afternoon, in the area of Santa Monica Boulevard between 2nd and 4th Streets.
As press time, no injuries were reported due to the leak, which called for the evacuation of several blocks in the popular shopping district. The Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) reported no residences were affected by the evacuation.
SMFD said a construction crew digging in the area hit a two-inch gas line around 3 p.m. and the leak was still active as of 4:45 p.m. Public safety officials had to wait for SoCal Gas crews to arrive and trench out the area and seal the leak.
Initial reports from SMPD estimated repairs would take about five hours, but a spokesperson later said it may be longer.
All businesses along the Promenade in the area of the closure (roughly between Broadway and Arizona) were closed Monday afternoon while the area was being secured.
