Underground Vault Fire Disrupts Power to 450 Customers Near Marina Del Rey

WESTCHESTER, CA -- A problem in an underground electrical vault in the Westchester area Tuesday resulted in the interruption of power to about 450 customers while crews worked to make repairs.

The problem was reported about 11:40 a.m. at La Tijera and Sepulveda boulevards, said Kim Hughes of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

A small amount of smoke was seen emanating from a displaced manhole cover, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. No one was injured.

Hughes said crews de-energized a circuit in order to work on it, which resulted in the interruption of service to about 450 customers in the area. The repair effort was continuing early this afternoon, and DWP officials estimated it would take until about 9 p.m. to have the issue fixed.

Sepulveda Boulevard was closed between Manchester and Sepulveda Eastway, while La Tijera was closed from Sepulveda Way to Sepulveda Boulevard -- creating headaches for some motorists trying to reach nearby Los Angeles International Airport.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock