A fallen electrical power line sparked a grass fire near to a natural gas pipeline near to Pittsburg, California, triggering an emergency evacuation of homes. Police also warned of a "natural gas leak."
Contra Costa County fire officials said they are on the scene of a fire "threatening an underground gas pipeline in Bay Point, vicinity Poinsettia and Suisun Avenues."
Emergency services ordered the immediate evacuation of homes and properties in a half-mile area around the site at 11.00 p.m., around three hours after the fire started. Around 4,000 people were evacuated from 1,400 homes, the fire department said.
"Anyone in the Baypoint area delineated by N. Broadway to the West, Summer Way to the East, Suisun Ave to the north and Willow Pass Road to the South should evacuate this area and plan to remain away overnight," the fire department tweeted.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office also issued an alert to residents through its Community Warning System. "Due to natural gas leak, an immediate evacuation has been ordered in Bay Point between Bailey Road and Loftus Lane and from the railroad tracks south to Hanlon Way," the alert said.
"Leave now and go to either the Calvary Temple Church or Pittsburg BART. Take only those essential items you have ready and can carry with you.
"Pets must be in a carrier or on a leash. Lock your windows and doors as you leave. Stay off the phone unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency at your location. However, if you are physically unable to leave your home unassisted, call 911 for help."
The gas line is managed by Chevron Pipe Line Company.
"Chevron Pipe Line Company was notified of a fire caused by an electrical power line falling, which started a fire near our valve junction on the Northern California Gas Line near Pittsburg," a company statement said, reported CBS San Francisco.
"CPL immediately shut down the line and dispatched a field team to investigate… CPL's primary concern is to ensure the safety of responders and the surrounding community."
The fire department said "Chevron is working to reduce pressure in the at-risk gas line in Bay Point at this time."
It added: "Venting of the Bay Point gas line is resulting in a loud, shrieking noise that has been described as a jet-engine-like sound emanating from the Chevron Pipeline Facility on Buchanan Road in Antioch. This is a normal part of the risk-mitigation process. Please do not call 911."
Chevron is working to reduce pressure in the at-risk gas line in Bay Point at this time. Evacuation orders remain in place overnight; if you need help evacuating, call 911. Currently, approximately 4,000 people are evacuated from 1,400 homes. pic.twitter.com/EOyfDES3mj
— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) October 18, 2018
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