Topline:
Newport Beach officials issued evacuation orders for some Balboa Peninsula residents after methane gas was found seeping from an abandoned private oil well.
What we know so far: The city declared a local emergency. Fire and public safety crews plan to release the methane gas, the city said in a news release. The leak was detected in a residential area on Marcus Avenue. The neighborhood borders a narrow channel of Newport Harbor.
Public safety: “Our top priority is the safety of residents and our neighborhoods,” city manager Grace Leung said in a statement. “We are taking swift action to protect the public while closely assessing the situation and coordinating with partner agencies.”
What’s next: Newport Beach is working to learn more about the leak and magnitude of the seepage.