Los Angeles, California — A major environmental cleanup operation is underway in East Los Angeles after a ruptured underground pipeline spilled thousands of gallons of crude oil into city streets, storm drains and the Los Angeles River early Friday morning.
Authorities say the leak happened after a construction crew working on a fiber optic project accidentally struck the underground pipeline, triggering a large-scale hazardous materials response.
Pipeline Rupture Sends Oil Into Streets and River
The incident occurred near the intersection of East Cesar Chavez Avenue and North Eastern Avenue shortly after 3 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Officials said the damaged pipeline was a 16-inch crude oil line running from Kern County to the Port of Long Beach.
As the line ruptured, crude oil rapidly spread across the busy intersection before flowing into nearby storm drains connected to the Los Angeles River.
Authorities estimate that approximately 2,400 gallons of crude oil spilled before the pipeline operator shut down the flow.
The operator reportedly stopped the leak within 30 minutes after being notified by using a shut-off valve near Dodger Stadium.
Fortunately, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident.
Health Officials Issue Public Warnings
Although the leak has been controlled, public health officials remain concerned about exposure to petroleum odors and contaminated areas.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned residents that strong oil fumes could trigger several short-term health symptoms.
Officials stated that while brief exposure is not expected to cause lasting harm for most people, the odors may lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathing problems, and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Residents living nearby were urged to remain indoors if odors become strong and to avoid direct contact with contaminated water or debris.
Health officials also advised people to keep pets and children away from affected areas until cleanup operations are complete.
Environmental Teams Monitoring LA River
State environmental agencies immediately launched an investigation after oil entered the river system.
“Petroleum product entered storm drains and was released into the Los Angeles River. Investigation into the cause and volume is ongoing,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Eric Laughlin.
The agency confirmed that multiple specialists have been deployed to the area.
“OSPR (Office of Spill Prevention and Response) personnel on scene include wildlife officers, environmental scientists and oil spill prevention specialists.”
Wildlife rescue organizations are also preparing in case animals become contaminated by the spill.
“The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) has been notified and is on standby for wildlife response,” Laughlin said. “No observations of oiled wildlife have been reported at this time.”
Major Traffic Disruptions Continue
The spill also caused major traffic problems throughout the area.
The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert at 4:25 a.m., shutting down roads near East Cesar Chavez and Eastern avenues.
Authorities said the closure remains active “until further notice” as crews continue cleanup and repair work.
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Commuters have been urged to completely avoid the affected intersection while emergency crews remain on-site.
Cleanup Could Take Several Days
Officials warned that repairs to the damaged pipeline are expected to take days, while cleanup efforts in the streets and waterways may continue even longer.
Environmental scientists and oil spill specialists will remain stationed near the LA River to monitor contamination levels and prevent further spread.
Meanwhile, public health teams will continue checking air quality conditions and monitoring reports of symptoms from local residents.
Authorities are also asking the public to report any wildlife affected by oil exposure instead of trying to rescue animals themselves.
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