Los Angeles Oil Spill: 5 Facts You Need to Know

los angeles oil spill

Workers clean up an oil pipe burst that caused 10,000 gallons of crude oil to spill onto streets over an area of around a half-mile on May 15, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. (Getty)

An oil pipeline ruptured this morning in Los Angeles, spewing thousands of gallons of crude across a half-square-mile and impacting a local strip club.

Here’s what we know so far.


1. 10,000 Gallons of Oil Spilled

Early estimates put the total of spillage at about 50,000 gallons but, after cleanup, the LAFD estimates 10,000 gallons spilled. Two women were taken to the hospital in fair condition after the spill.


2. Cleanup Has Already Begun

The pipeline, which transports oil from Bakersfield, California to Texas, was shut off remotely 10 minutes after firefighters arrived at the scene, but oil continued to leak for 45 minutes. Most of the oil has been vacuumed up from the street and the LAFD said crews will use absorbent diapers to soak up the remaining oil. Clean up could take at least 24 hours.



3. It Happened Early Wednesday Morning

The rupture took place at about 1 a.m. Pacific Time, so most of the businesses impacted by the spill were not open at the time. The video above shows firefighters responding to the mess. Reuters reports Plains Pipeline LP, a unit of Plains All American Pipeline, runs the pipeline that burst. The burst was caused by a valve failure, according to Reuters.


4. The Oil Spewed Onto a Strip Club

LA Oil spill

The Gentleman’s Club was one of the businesses affected by the oil pipe that ruptured overnight in Los Angeles, California. (Getty)

NBC Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Times report that the nearby Gentlemen’s Club strip club had to be evacuated because of the spill, and that oil spilled onto multiple cars.


5. Oil Spouted 15 to 20 Feet Into the Air

oil pipe burst

Workers clean up an oil pipe burst that caused 10,000 gallons of crude oil to spill onto streets over an area of around a half-mile on May 15, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. (Getty)

NBC Los Angeles reports the oil shot up into the sky after the pipe ruptured.

0
Would love your thoughts, please commentx
()
x