Drilling mistake sends gallons of crude oil into East LA streets, prompting road closures
ABC7 Los Angeles • • business
Key Points:
- A burst underground crude oil pipe near East Cesar Chavez and Eastern avenues in East Los Angeles prompted a SigAlert and road closures, affecting at least seven neighborhood schools.
- The leak occurred after a company drilling for fiber optic cables nicked a 16-inch crude oil pipe, causing crude to seep through asphalt and concrete at an estimated flow rate of half a gallon per second.
- The Los Angeles County Fire Department contained the leak within 40 minutes but noted a significant environmental hazard as crude oil entered nearby storm drains.
- Residents reported strong odors, and officials advised keeping doors and windows closed while cleanup efforts, including sand absorption and pressure washing, continue throughout the day.
- The estimated oil spill volume is under 2,000 gallons, with concerns about potential runoff reaching the L.A. River and Santa Monica areas.