Truck collision triggers gas leak and evacuation in Riverside

DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: 04/30/24, 11:30 p.m
LOCATION: 7450 Northrop Drive (Mission Grove Park Apartments)
AREA/CITY: River bank
DETAILS:

1. The Riverside Fire Department responded to reports of a truck that crashed into an apartment complex residence, severing a fire hydrant and natural gas line.
2. When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered a truck had driven into the building and a high-pressure gas line was broken.
3. With the truck still starting and the amount of natural gas leaking from the line, firefighters began spraying water on the broken line.
4. As of 2:30 a.m. the gas line is still being sprayed.
5. SoCal Gas is on site and can't close the valve, so they evacuated the building and sent a crew out to dig out the gas line where the access to the shutoff valve is.
6. They expect the crew to arrive in two to three hours. Until then, firefighters will spray water on the broken line while high-pressure natural gas continues to flow from the broken line.
7. Currently there is a family with an underage 16 year old son who is sleeping in their car and cannot get gas from SoCal or the police to help him find a motel room. (They refused to give an interview)
8. Firefighters have been spraying water on the broken pipe since 11:30 p.m

HANDLING AGENCIES: Riverside Fire Department

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