Ruptured Water Main Leads to South L.A. Sinkhole
Friday, December 21, 2018
LAFD Spokesperson: Brian Humphrey
The rupture of a 24" subterranean water main stranded residents, damaged cars and threatened homes in the 300 block of East 55th Street on December 21, 2018.
Photo Credits:
Creative Commons Licensed for Your Use: LAFD Photo | Cody WeireterSOUTH LOS ANGELES-
Firefighters responded Friday morning to protect life and property, when a subterranean water main ruptured, stranding residents, damaging cars and threatening homes.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was initially summoned to investigate flooding at 4:55 AM on December 21, 2018 in the 300 block of East 55th Street, where firefighters discovered street flooding, but no injury or structure threat. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) teams soon arrived to manage the situation and LAFD crews departed.
At 7:20 AM, the Los Angeles Police Department requested LAFD to return to the scene, as the flooding had worsened to the point of causing a large sinkhole that damaged cars and ruptured a 2" natural gas line. Firefighters arrived quickly to find rising water had stranded more than a dozen occupants in three adjacent residences at 310, 312 and 316 East 55th Street.
As LADWP personnel continued working to stem the flow of water from a ruptured 24" main, SoCal Gas officials were summoned to best control the natural gas leak. Teams of firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief David Reddix simultaneously surveyed the scene, assisting a handful of uninjured residents in safely fleeing their homes and yards.
As LADWP personnel continued working to stem the flow of water from a ruptured 24" main, SoCal Gas officials were summoned to best control the natural gas leak. Teams of firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief David Reddix simultaneously surveyed the scene, assisting a handful of uninjured residents in safely fleeing their homes and yards.
Volunteers from the American Red Cross arrived to assisted two dozen temporarily displaced residents, who were later shuttled to the Fred Roberts Recreation Center at 4700 Honduras Street for respite, meals and needs assessment as Inspectors from the City's Department of Building & Safety examined their homes to determine what repairs would be necessary before they could return home.
An LAFD command and coordination presence assisted LADWP on site until nearly 6:30 PM, when the latter agency established full control of the incident.
An LAFD command and coordination presence assisted LADWP on site until nearly 6:30 PM, when the latter agency established full control of the incident.
Dispatched LAFD Units: E33 T33 E233 BC13 RA33 RA833 EM13 PI3 HR3 RA846 RA846 E33 RA21 T33 E233
Incident Photo Gallery
Incident Photo Gallery
