Methane Leak Capped in Hawthorne
Video by Julia Deng
A Hawthorne well that leaked water laced with methane gas for more than five days - causing freeway closures, evacuations and round-the-clock work by repair crews - was capped Monday, company officials said.
The leak began Thursday, when crews at the well operated by Golden State Water Co. were performing routine maintenance.
The exact cause of the leak is still under investigation, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Brian Jordan.
Athough the leaking gas was stopped, many residents were unable to return to their home - like Ramon Mendoza.
"I have no idea when I can come back," said Mendoza, who has been staying in a hotel since Saturday.
Thirty-seven other families are also unable to return to their homes as of Monday. Several dozen area residents were evacuated out of caution.
In a statement, company officials said residents cannot return to their homes until testing concludes the area is safe.
Officials also said the local water supply has not been affected by the leak.
