Methane leak prompts evacuations in Ventura neighborhood on Thursday

On Thursday, first responders evacuated a neighborhood in Ventura due to a reported methane leak. Hazmat teams were deployed to address the situation, which posed significant risks to residents. High levels of methane can diminish breathable air and create explosive conditions, prompting authorities to issue emergency alerts urging residents to heed public safety instructions. Evacuation orders were specifically directed at residents living on Bayshore Avenue south of Coral Seahorse Avenue and west of Seaview, as well as those south of Peninsula. Additionally, warnings were issued for residents along Pierpont between Greenock, Seaward, and Harbor. Some residents were instructed to shelter in place, particularly those living west of Pierpont, south of San Pedro, and north of Greenock. Several roads were closed to ensure safety, including Pierpont from Seaward to Greenock and Peninsula from Seahorse to Pierpont. Parents of students at Pierpont Elementary were allowed to pick up their children, while those unable to leave were instructed to shelter in place at the school. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department also provided an incident dashboard for real-time updates on the situation. Authorities believe the methane gas leak originated from an underground storm drain or sewer pipeline system near the Pierpont community. The situation remains under close monitoring as officials work to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate any further risks associated with the gas leak.