A major gas line explosion on Saturday evening (local time) in California's Castaic region has caused the temporary closure of the 5 Freeway, a major highway connecting parts of California with Los Angeles.
When it was first reported at around 4:20 PM near the Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest Place, just south of an elementary school, locals reported hearing "loud, jet-like" noises as they suddenly saw thick gas clouds in the sky.
A few others also reported hearing a loud explosion. Eyewitness footage shows thick, yellowish-brown clouds at the site of the gas line rupture, followed by 'whooshing' sounds.
🚨#BREAKING: shelter-in-place has been issued after a Major natural gas line exploded
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) December 28, 2025
📌#Castaic | #California
At this time, law enforcement and emergency crews have issued a shelter-in-place order following a major natural gas explosion in Castaic, California. Numerous… pic.twitter.com/z4q9tCiEx2
Soon after, the LA County Fire Department Station 149, nearly 2km away from the site of the gas leak, reported smelling gas as well.
Though no injuries have been reported yet, the authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order—leading to the evacuation of nearly 15,000 residents—well into Saturday night.
It is unclear when the Lake Hughes stretch of the 5 Freeway will reopen, as crews continued working there later into the night on Saturday.
Fire officials confirmed the leak came from a 34-inch transmission line—a major natural gas pipeline that runs alongside the 5 Freeway, and declared that there was no explosion, despite what eyewitnesses said, as per an ABC7 report.
SoCalGas, one of the largest natural gas distribution facilities in the US, has said that their crews were engaged in the disaster mitigation efforts as well.
Officials added that the pipeline had been under extreme pressure, and when it failed, the gas in it was released forcefully, which reportedly caused the rupture.
SoCalGas and firefighting crews in the area later confirmed that they managed to isolate the damaged section of the pipeline and stop the leak. Gas flow here has also been shut off.
"Once remaining natural gas in the damaged pipeline section is safely vented, crews will assess the damage and make repairs to the pipeline," SoCalGas said, echoing the authorities in saying that there was no more risk to the public.
