Public Safety and Energy Systems

A natural gas transmission line ruptured Saturday afternoon near Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest Place in Castaic, prompting a shelter-in-place order within a one-mile radius and the full closure of both directions of Interstate 5 north of Lake Hughes Road, along with nearby state routes used to divert traffic. Los Angeles County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies say the rupture followed reports of an explosion and strong gas odor and may be linked to a mudslide, with SoCal Gas crews working to shut off the line, multiple agencies including arson, explosives and hazmat teams on scene, and no injuries reported so far.