Ruptured Gas Line Prompts Evacuations At Nearby School, Homes

The damaged line was reported around 8:30 a.m. in the 9200 block of Pentland Street, Los Angeles County fire Inspector Randall Wright said. About 150 people were evacuated from the immediate area, including students at Doug Sears Learning Center, according to the fire department and the sheriff's department.

Sheriff's officials said the students were moved to nearby La Rosa School. Denise King of Southern California Gas Co. said the construction crew --which is not affiliated with the gas company -- damaged a 2-inch-diameter gasline. A gas company crew shut off the flow of gas about 11 a.m., and worked to repair the line, King said. No customers were affected by the damaged line ,she said. Pentland was closed between Encinita and Alessandro avenues, and Fratus Drive was closed between Pentland and Kennerly streets, until shortly after 11a.m.

The evacuations were lifted about 11:20 a.m., the sheriff's department reported.