The City of Newport Beach has declared a local emergency after methane gas was discovered seeping into a home on the Balboa Peninsula, prompting an evacuation order for nearby residences on Thursday morning.
Officials said the gas was detected at a property in the 3600 block of Marcus Avenue and is believed to be caused by oil intrusion from an abandoned private oil well located beneath the home.
Following consultations with public safety and utilities officials, the city issued an emergency evacuation order for the affected property and several adjacent homes. The area has since been restricted to authorized personnel, including emergency crews and city staff.
“Our top priority is the safety of residents and our neighborhoods,” City Manager Grace Leung said in a statement. “We are taking swift action to protect the public while closely assessing the situation and coordinating with partner agencies.”
City firefighters and public safety crews responded after detecting the presence of methane gas and oil near the home. As a precaution, officials say they are preparing to vent any accumulated gas inside the structure and have begun implementing additional safety measures while assessments continue.
The emergency proclamation grants Newport Beach expanded authority to secure the area, expedite response operations, and access additional resources if needed.
City officials said they are actively working with state and regulatory agencies to determine the source and extent of the oil seepage.
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