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.
Crews power washing remaining crude oil from ruptures pipeline near Glendale. @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/zdBQDcNeWV
— Margaret Carrero (@MargaretCarrero) May 15, 2014
3. It Happened Early Wednesday Morning
#AtwaterVillage – 50,000+ gallons of crude oil spilled, @chrisburrous reports
http://t.co/7EzD2lRyTE pic.twitter.com/E4JO8nMl3w
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 15, 2014
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
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
NBC Los Angeles reports the oil shot up into the sky after the pipe ruptured.