Methane Detectors Lacking in Leak Zone

As crews began pumping out dangerous methane gas that forced the closure of 50 stores in the Fairfax District, Los Angeles building and safety officials said Wednesday that many homes and businesses required under a 1986 city law to install gas detection devices do not have them.

Apparently, city officials said, only high-profile businesses along 3rd Street have the mandated detectors. Many homeowners could not afford the devices, which cost up to $1,000, and follow-up inspections in many cases were not done.

There were no estimates on the number of homes and businesses lacking the detectors.

Enforcement Called Lax

Officials acknowledged that enforcement has been lax, but they said Tuesday’s leak and evacuation are likely to prompt a comprehensive city program to ensure compliance with the ordinance, which was enacted in the wake of a 1985 blast in which 21 persons were injured.

“Enforcement may not have been strict, but the net result is the same,” said Building Bureau Supervisor Ron Shigeta, whose section enforces the gas detection ordinance. “(The detectors Tuesday) warned people that there was a problem, and there was no loss of life.”

Meanwhile, a few stores reopened Wednesday, and work crews erected a 70-foot tower to begin the pumping operations to draw out the excess methane and rainwater, which may have precipitated the leak. Fire Department officials said work to relieve the methane gas forced to the surface is likely to continue today. If all goes well, 3rd Street may be reopened by Friday, Fire Department spokesman Vince Marzo said.

City Councilman John Ferraro, whose district includes the Farmers Market area, acknowledged that “there may not be enough detectors in the area” but pointed out that the cost of each device might help explain why some homeowners do not have them.

Under the law, an estimated 15% of homes and businesses in a 400-block “potential risk” zone near the Farmers Market were required to install the devices. Especially targeted are those structures with basements.

The ordinance was praised Tuesday by Fire Department officials, who said detectors in the basements of the Ross Dress for Less and K mart stores warned employees of the methane gas leaks. That summoned fire units to the area, which was closed after highly flammable readings were registered.

City Criticized

But Wednesday, spokesmen for several homeowner groups criticized the city for largely ignoring the ordinance, charging that more detectors should be installed in the area.

“All we have is this fantastic ordinance, but nothing happened,” said Harald R. Hahn, president of the South of Burton Way Homeowners Assn. “We need proper supervision of those few safety measures now in place, as obviously this is not now taking place.”

Hahn and Diana Plotkin, president of the Beverly Wilshire Homes Assn., also criticized Ferraro and other officials for not ordering a geological study to assess the potential of danger in the area where “overdevelopment” might cause more problems.

People should not have to worry about their lives being in “danger from this gas where they live,” Plotkin said.

Ferraro, in a telephone interview, said a new geological study is under consideration. But he criticized the homeowner groups for turning Tuesday’s incident into a forum of second-guessing.

“It’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback,” he said. “They are opposed to any development in the area.”

At one of the reopened stores, there was free if somewhat stale bread being offered.

“I got all this bread,” pleaded Effie Villanueva, shortly after Eva’s Bakery in the Town and Country shopping center was allowed to reopen. “You want some?”