Residents and businesses in Westwood were in for a bit of a scare yesterday evening when smoke and a white vapor cloud began billowing from under a sidewalk on 215 VA. As it turned out, the suspected hazard was less a threat and more steam—at least according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters who arrived at the scene at approximately 7:41 PM quickly established a safety perimeter and urged those in surrounding areas to shutter their windows and remain indoors.
The LAFD deployed monitoring equipment to assess the situation, which initially suggested the potential of hazardous materials underground. But upon closer inspection and with the insight of Hazardous Materials Specialists, it was determined that the source was "a large amount of steam from an underground construction operation and that there was no hazard present." The official LAFD release let breathe a sigh of relief to those on standby for further news.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which is always good news. The LAFD also confirmed that there was no need for an evacuation and that the site is now deemed safe, signaling an end to the brief anxiety that swept through the Westwood community. Fire Station 37 was among the first responders, followed closely by teams from several other stations including Battalion 9 and West Bureau units, who collaborated to ensure public safety.
"Firefighters responded to reports of smoke coming from the sidewalk and from a vault," stated Nicholas Prange of the LAF with a demonstrable display of readiness to address public concern. The presence of multiple fire and rescue crews including Hazardous Material Squad 95, exemplifies the department's commitment to rapid response and thorough assessment in potential emergency situations. Thankfully, this turned out to be a false alarm with steam, not smoke, at the heart of the incident.
