Գազի խողովակի պայթյուն Կաստայքում՝ 5-րդ ավտոճանապարհի փակման և տեղում մնալու հրամանի պատճառ

"...The sight and strong smell prompted safety concerns and shut down the 5 Freeway in both directions...."

"...By nightfall, the strong smell of natural gas in the air had mostly subsided...."

"...But what hadn't changed was the huge first responder presence at the scene -- firefighters, hazmat teams and a command post were all in the area as a precaution...."

"...The area remained restricted as crews continued working, even though officials said the immediate danger had passed...."

"...They say there was no explosion, even though many people thought that's what they were seeing or feeling...."

"...Officials explained that the pipe was under extreme pressure, and when it failed, the gas was released forcefully, which is what caused such a dramatic response...."

"...The gas has since been shut off, and officials say there is no longer a danger to the public...."

"...The 5 Freeway was shut down for hours, causing major traffic delays for drivers in the area before it reopened...."

"...Fire officials say winds pushed the gas south, which is why people miles away in areas like Santa Clarita reported a strong smell...."

"...Now that the gas is off, they expect the smell to continue to fade...."

"...All of this happened just days after Christmas, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, leading to hours of gridlock and major backups on the 5 Freeway before it reopened...."

"...The gas leak may have been triggering for many people living in the North San Fernando Valley...."

"...Back in 2015, the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility suffered a blowout and turned into the largest natural gas leak in our nation's history...."

"...For four months, 97,000 tons of noxious gases were sent into the surrounding communities of Porter Ranch, Granada Hills and beyond...."

"...Residents suffered headaches, rashes and nose bleeds...."

"...Pets died, schools closed and thousands were forced to leave their homes and find temporary housing...."

"...Many residents say they are still suffering effects from the blowout to this day...."