Methane gas leaking from an abandoned oil well prompted officials in Newport Beach to issue evacuation orders for multiple homes along the 3600 block of Marcus Avenue on the Balboa Peninsula, as initially reported by CBS Los Angeles. The local emergency was declared Thursday morning after homeowners in the area noticed a potentially hazardous situation, with visible oil indicating a deeper problem beneath the surface, and the city's swift response left several homes red-tagged, deemed unsafe for occupation. The gas was discovered on Wednesday evening, and the affected properties are currently cordoned off, accessible only to authorized personnel.
City Manager Grace Leung emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Our top priority is the safety of residents and our neighborhoods. We are taking swift action to protect the public while closely assessing the situation and coordinating with partner agencies," a sentiment echoed in statements provided to outlets including ABC7. Crews on the scene have been working diligently to vent the methane gas to mitigate immediate risks, but the operation's complexity has resulted in a longer timeline for residents potentially returning home, with no injuries reported amid these precautions.
An emergency evacuation took place Thursday, as confirmed by FOX LA, with firefighters and public safety crews responding to the scene after the initial detection of methane gas and oil near one Marcus Avenue property. The Fire Marshal classified the situation as a fire hazard, prompting the precautionary evacuations. The city, building on its commitment to public safety and thorough assessment of such incidents, and in accordance with insights from officials, has enacted a local emergency, granting it broader authority to manage the response and secure the necessary resources.
According to a report by KTLA, City Manager Grace Leung reaffirmed, "Our top priority is the safety of residents and our neighborhoods," explaining that the city is actively coordinating with state and regulatory agencies to understand the seepage's source and extent. The long-term solution includes the well's permanent capping, which will require close monitoring and ongoing collaboration with state regulators.
