Underground Oil Leak Closes Portion of Cerritos Avenue

Oil seeped to the surface of a street in Cypress today, causing it to be closed.

The small amount of oil was discovered about 9:30 a.m. on Cerritos Avenue near Valley View Street, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

The 10-15 gallon leak was first noticed in eastbound lanes by a public works employee, officials told the Orange County Register, which reported that Chevron and Plains All American Pipeline have underground petroleum pipelines in the area.

The OCFA and Cypress police determined there was an underground pipe rupture and shut down Cerritos Avenue in both directions between Valley View Street and Holder Avenue.

Officials from the state Department Fish and Wildlife, Southern California Edison and contracted clean-up companies were at the scene, as was a hazardous materials unit from the OCFA.

William Mattern, battalion chief with the OCFA, told a videographer at the scene that excavation of the pipe and repair work would begin tonight.

City News Service