Broken Gas Line Forces Evacuation of Residents

A gas leak in North Hollywood forced the evacuation Friday of 23 homes and 700 children at an elementary school, but no injuries were reported.

Before Southern California Gas Co. workers used a clamp to plug the leak, loud hissing and a translucent cloud emanated from a gas pipe about 3 feet underground at Vineland Avenue and Hatteras Street, authorities said.

Sidewalk Torn

A Los Angeles Department of Street Maintenance crew was resurfacing part of Vineland Avenue when a bulldozer tore a smaller pipe from the main underground line at 10:17 a.m., leaving a hole about 1 1/2 inches in diameter where the two pipes met, said W. H. Wade, a gas company supervisor.

The leaking gas cut a hole in the sidewalk 6 inches in diameter. It expelled with such force that sand scattered across the intersection, authorities said.

Residents were allowed back in their homes and the 700 children at Oxnard Street Elementary School were allowed back in their classes about noon, half an hour after the leak was plugged.

15 Fire Companies

Fifteen fire companies were deployed in case sparks from nearby traffic signals and street lights touched off a fire or an explosion, said Capt. Ralph Ramirez of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Three side streets and Vineland Avenue between Burbank Boulevard and Oxnard Street were closed for about two hours while the gas leaked, said Sgt. Roger Deranian of the Los Angeles Police Department.