WESTWOOD—Representatives from Southern California Gas confirmed that no gas leak was present in the vicinity of Pico Boulevard and Overland Avenue after multiple residents phone in reporting that they smelled a strong odor.
Gas company spokesperson Melissa Bailey indicated in a statement on Thursday, November 30 that crews determined “the source of the odor was a natural gas odorant spill at a small independent oil and natural gas production facility in the West Los Angeles area.” Bailey also reported that the spill had been contained and that any odor continuing to persist would most likely dissipate over the rest of the day.
According to reports, residents first reported a noxious odor at around 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, November 29 around the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Overland Avenue. Southern California Gas crews in tandem with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded shortly after..
The oil production facility where the leak originated was the Hillcrest Beverly Oil Corp. The company stated that the substance had come out of a barrel, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Natural gas by itself cannot be detected by smell, odorants are generally added as a safety precaution so that leaking gasses can be located easily.
