Methane Gas Release Causes Evacuation in Hawthorne

By City News Service

A private company was preparing to cap a Hawthorne water well that continued to spew methane gas and water Monday, as 37 families were forced to spend a third night away from their homes as a safety precaution, firefighters said.

A blowout control company, Boots and Coots International Well Control has been brought in to cap the out-of-control water well, which began spewing methane gas Thursday, said county fire Capt. Brian Jordan. About 20 county firefighters were monitoring the gas this morning.

The 37 families who were evacuated were allowed to return home for a short time Sunday to pick up pets, medicine and clothing.

"We do let them come home, and get their stuff," Jordan said. "This gas is not accumulating in any big explosive amount, but in a rare case it could cause a little flash poof."

The incident began at 6:22 p.m. Thursday, when methane gas blew out a water well operated by Golden State Water Company on Imperial Highway between Truro and Condon avenues. Imperial Highway remained closed west of Hawthorne Boulevard.

Boots and Coots is internationally famous for its experience capping out of control oil gushers or fiery gas wells. Firefighters said the company will attempt "to control the mixture of high-pressure water and methane gas release on the private property."

Jordan said the first priority for the firm will be to "fabricate a metal structure to secure the well valve that is under high pressure."

Work was scheduled to continue all day as fire crews stand by. No estimate was given on how long it will take to finish the work.

Methane gas naturally occurs in pockets under much of the Southern California flatlands, geologists said. When collected by pipelines, the odorless methane is scented with an additive, then piped into businesses and homes as "natural gas."

Jordan said methane itself is not poisonous but can be deadly if it displaces oxygen in an enclosed space, or if it reaches a proper mixture with air to become explosive.