Castaic gas line rupture sends odor into Beverly Hills

A rupture in a major natural gas pipeline near Castaic on Saturday afternoon led to freeway closures, shelter-in-place warnings and widespread reports of a natural gas odor as far south as Beverly Hills, authorities confirmed Sunday.

On Saturday, a 34-inch natural gas transmission line near the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 at Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest Place failed. The leak prompted emergency crews, including firefighters, hazmat teams and utility personnel, to respond and close both directions of the Interstate 5 for several hours during one of the busiest travel weekends of the season.

Initial reports described loud noises and a strong bow wave of gas escaping under pressure, though officials later emphasized there was no confirmed explosion and no injuries were reported. A shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby communities, advising residents to remain indoors, close doors and windows and shut off heating and cooling systems until the situation was mitigated.

The highway shutdown and associated impacts caused significant travel delays, with motorists delayed for hours before all lanes reopened late Saturday night after crews isolated the damaged section of the pipeline and stopped the leak.

In a community advisory sent to residents, the Beverly Hills Police Department noted that multiple reports of a gas odor had been received throughout Beverly Hills. The advisory explained the smell was likely the result of strong winds moving residual natural gas odor from the Castaic rupture southward, and said that Beverly Hills Fire Department crews used detection equipment and “have not detected anything to be concerned about at this time.”

“We are receiving a number of reports of the smell of gas in the City of Beverly Hills,” the BHPD alert read. “The City of Castaic had a large gas leak which is now hitting the Beverly Hills area because of the winds. BHFD has used their equipment and have not detected anything to be concerned about at this time.” — BHPDalert

In addition to the department alert, residents participating in local neighborhood WhatsApp groups and “just in case” community messaging networks reported noticing a strong gas odor throughout Saturday evening and into Sunday. These firsthand reports helped city officials confirm that the smell was widespread and not isolated to a single block or neighborhood.

Officials from Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) said crews have isolated the damaged portion of the pipeline and will continue assessing the line to determine a repair plan. At this time, fewer than five commercial customers have experienced gas service interruption due to the incident, and there is currently no indication of danger to the public.

Los Angeles County Fire, the California Highway Patrol, SoCalGas, and other first responders continue to monitor the situation and are expected to release further details as the investigation into the cause of the rupture continues.