Early Friday morning, a traffic incident in Tarzana led to the shearing of a fire hydrant and the subsequent collapse of a gas station awning due to a powerful water geyser, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. The event took place around 5:24 a.m. near the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Otis Avenue, causing major disruptions and traffic shutdowns in the area. The gushing water not only collapsed the Chevron station's fuel-pump canopy but also flooded the intersection, rendering it impassable for a time, as per information from KTLA.
According to aerial footage from Sky5 and comments from pilot-reporter Rich Prickett, the massive column of water spewed several stories high before crews were able to locate the underground valve and stop the flow; however, the damage had already been inflicted, with the metal structure of the awning twisted and collapsed onto the pumps below. This incident caused significant water damage to the pump area and left the metal beams hazardously contorted, yet, despite the chaos and destruction, no injuries were recorded by authorities, as FOXLA detailed.
While the Los Angeles Fire Department was handling the situation, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Transportation managed traffic control and diversions, said Jennifer Middleton in a statement released via LAFD ALERT. Additionally, there was uncertainty about the nature of the traffic crash, with initial reports from KTLA indicating it was not a hit-and-run, contrary to initial reports; details were sparse, and ongoing investigations are expected to provide clarification on the matter in time.
Recovery operations at the site were delayed as the Department of Building and Safety had to evaluate the integrity of the remaining gas station structure before clearing the scene fully. During this period, Ventura Boulevard remained partially blocked with firefighters, LAPD, and LADOT units standing by, the reflection pools that once covered the whole of Ventura and Reseda boulevards had receded, but left behind a reminder of the morning's upheaval and the reflection pools that once covered the whole of Ventura and Reseda boulevards had receded, but left behind a reminder of the morning's upheaval. No official statement has been made about when the boulevards will fully reopen, reflecting the ongoing nature of the cleanup and investigation efforts.
