A motorist ended up getting stuck in an unusual spot this morning after she drove into the Verdugo Wash thinking it was a freeway. The 53-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, took her Mercedes as fast as 70 miles per hour until she ended up near San Fernando Road and Grange Street in Glendale. more ›

HazMat has been called to the CBS Television City studio this afternoon to investigate a report that some white powder "spilled out of a letter" being handled in the mailroom. Who was the (un)lucky recipient? It's not known yet to whom the piece of mail was addressed. more ›

Something stinks in Downtown, and a HazMat team has been called in to check it out, according to KTLA. The smell has been reported in the area of Olive Street near Venice Boulevard, but the source has yet to be determined. To be safe, a few patients have been evacuated from the Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center, which is in the area of investigation. People are being advised to stay away until authorities can determine if the odor poses a health risk. more ›

An explosion at an apparent firework-making operation led police and firefighters this morning to Los Feliz home, according to KTLA. At around 5:20 a.m., the fire department received reports of an explosion on the 3400 block of Lambeth Street, just off Los Feliz Boulevard. more ›

There was a little something "extra" in the air Downtown on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, and it wasn't part of the celebration. It was "a cloud of noxious gas," that caused some folks to vomit and one "Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy to experience a burning sensation in his eyes and lungs," according to the LA Times. more ›

...at least it did yesterday, when, according to cbs2.com, "a reaction of chemicals in a basement laundry in one of three towers at the Disneyland Hotel," necessitated the Hazmat team to make a trip to Mickey's hideaway late Monday afternoon. The smell that was produced was likened to chlorine, and although no guests were evacuated, employees near the affected area were, and one "security guard complained of dizziness but refused transportation to a hospital." The area was then ventilated, and hotel operations remained as expected in the Happiest Place on Earth. more ›

The Los Angeles Fire Department is reporting that parts of Federal Building at 300 N. Los Angeles St. in downtown has been evacuated after several people fell "ill" from an unknown odor. "It's not an escalating incident," said LAFD Spokesman Brian Humphrey to LAist over the phone. He explained it appears to be isolated on the 7th floor and could be related to work going on such as carpet cleaning or installation, although there is no confirmation on that yet. The vast majority of people who self-evacuated have had no problems and no full evacuation has been ordered. Seven people were assessed and released at the scene. Los Angeles St. is shut down between the 101 Freeway and Temple St. *Updated Post more ›

An American Airlines Boeing 757 made an emergency landing today at LAX due to smoke reported by the pilot. The flight carrying passengers from San Francisco to Miami was also carrying hazardous materials, but, at first it was unknown if they were the cause the incident that diverted the plane to the airport. Later, FAA officials said that the material was hydrochloric acid and it was not the cause -- it probably came from a recently serviced hydraulic system. All passengers disembarked from the plane safely at Terminal 4, said LAX Spokesman Marshall Lowe to LAist. Passengers are now being booked on other flights. more ›

Two female bank employees, ages 41 and 39, were transported to Northridge Hospital in stable condition after they were exposed to a $100 bill at San Fernando Valley Washington Mutual this afternoon. The incident, which took place at 10370 Mason Ave. in Chatsworth, happened around 1:00 p.m. The Los Angeles Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Squad were deployed after one teller complained that her hand was burning after touching the bill. more ›

An alert coming out of the Los Angeles Fire Department states that Canoga Park Senior High School has been "actively evacuated." It is unknown at this time if it is a partial or full evacuation, but the Haz Mat Team was deployed to the campus. more ›