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 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
Submitted by Captain Patrick Nulty, Public Information Officer