Car Swallowed By Sinkhole, Sparks Gas Leak In Laguna Beach Sunday

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach emergency responders were dispatched Sunday to a report of a large amount of water flowing in an area between homes and south Coast Highway in South Laguna Beach.

The call about the rushing water was reported in the area between 10th and 11th avenues at around 7:30 a.m., Laguna Fire Chief Niko King said.

A sinkhole opened up on the street after the water was reported and a Range Rover SUV fell in, severing a gas line and causing a leak.

Laguna Beach city officials issued an evacuation notice for residents living on Sunset and Virgina Way, between 10th and 11th avenues, as a result of the gas leak sometime at around 8:30 a.m.

By 10 a.m., workers from the Southern California Gas Company resolved the gas leak. Residents were allowed to return home but the area remained closed to vehicle traffic.

Members of Laguna Beach Public Works, South Coast Water District and the gas company were expected to remain on site to assist with cleaning efforts and to restore water and gas to the affected streets, King said.