Home / News / Gas Line Explosion Castaic: 5 Freeway Impact & News – NBC 7 San Diego

Gas Line Explosion Castaic: 5 Freeway Impact & News – NBC 7 San Diego

Gas Line Explosion Castaic: 5 Freeway Impact & News – NBC 7 San Diego

Castaic Gas Line Rupture: Updates, Impacts, and Safety Information (December⁤ 28, 2025)

A significant natural gas line rupture occurred ⁣Saturday near⁢ Castaic,⁣ prompting emergency responses and ‌widespread disruptions. This article provides the latest information ⁢on the incident,⁣ its impact on residents and traffic, and safety guidance. We’ll continually update this page as new details emerge.

What Happened?

los Angeles County firefighters responded ‌to ⁤reports of an explosion around 4:17 p.m. near Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest ⁤Place. Investigations revealed a 34-inch natural gas transmission line had ruptured, though the ⁤initial cause remains unknown.Crews quickly worked to isolate ⁣the damaged section of the pipeline.

Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Orders

Initially,an evacuation order was issued for a defined area of Castaic. Fortunately, authorities later downgraded this‌ to a shelter-in-place order,​ which was ⁢later ‍lifted as of ​10 p.m. The affected areas included:

* west of I-5
*‍ South ⁤of North Red Oak⁢ Court
* north of Park Vista Drive
* ‍ East of Meadow Grass Drive, Victoria Road, and Mandolin Canyon Road

Residents in Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, and Sylmar also reported detecting a gas odor in their homes.

Freeway Closures and ‌Traffic Impacts

The incident caused a complete shutdown of the 5 Freeway in‍ both‌ directions. This created significant traffic delays and diversions.

* Northbound I-5: All lanes were closed, with traffic diverted to the CA-126.
* ​ Southbound I-5: All lanes were ⁢closed, with traffic diverted to the SR-138.

These closures⁢ remained in effect indefinitely as of Saturday evening, prioritizing public safety. You can find the latest traffic updates from‌ the ‍California Highway Patrol.

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What Residents Reported

A witness near the rupture site ​described hearing a loud noise resembling a jet engine and detecting a strong sulfur smell.These reports align with the characteristics of a natural gas leak. SoCalGas confirmed ⁣crews were able to safely vent⁢ remaining ‌gas ‌from the damaged pipeline.

SoCalGas Response and Safety Assurance

SoCalGas crews⁣ successfully isolated the damaged pipeline section to mitigate the leak.‍ A spokesperson stated there is currently no​ risk ‍to the public, despite the ‍lingering odor ⁢some residents may experience. Crews‌ are now assessing‍ the damage and preparing for repairs.

Ongoing Investigation and Hazmat Assessment

The cause of the⁣ rupture is still under investigation. Hazmat teams continue to monitor the area, taking readings to ensure the safety of both‌ residents and responders. we will provide updates as the investigation ⁣progresses.

Staying Informed

This is a developing situation. you can stay informed through the following resources:

* los Angeles County Fire Department: https://fire.lacounty.gov/

* California Highway Patrol: https://www.chp.ca.gov/

* SoCalGas: https://www.socalgas.com/

Disclaimer: This information is based on reports available as of December 28, 2025, and is subject to change.We will update this article as new⁢ details become available.

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