UPDATE: A major natural gas leak has shut down all lanes of the 5 Freeway in Castaic, California, creating urgent traffic disruptions. The incident was first reported at 4:20 PM on October 21, 2023, prompting immediate action from emergency crews.
According to Captain Brian Knight of the Los Angeles County Fire, gas is leaking from a main line just east of the southbound lanes of the freeway, near the intersection of Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest Place. Fortunately, no explosions or injuries have been reported at this time.
In response to the leak, the California Highway Patrol has closed both northbound and southbound lanes of the freeway at Lake Hughes Road. Motorists are being diverted to alternative routes, with northbound traffic directed to SR-126 and southbound traffic redirected to SR-138.
A shelter-in-place order has been issued for nearby communities, including Charley Canyon, Hillcrest, and Wayside. Reports from multiple residents indicate they heard loud booms and detected a strong gas odor extending into areas such as Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch, and Valencia.
Authorities are working diligently to resolve the situation, but details regarding the owner of the gas line have not been disclosed. Emergency services remain on high alert as the situation develops.
This is an ongoing situation. Stay tuned for further updates as officials continue to monitor and manage the emergency response. Share this report to keep others informed about the significant disruptions on the 5 Freeway in Castaic.
