Possible gas leak causes evacuations in Ventura neighborhood

First responders evacuated a Ventura neighborhood on Thursday after hazmat teams responded to an unknown gas leak under the community.

Initially, hazmat crews believed it was methane.

"High levels of methane gas can reduce the amount of breathable air in the ambient environment and can lead to explosive conditions. Residents that live within the warning areas are asked to follow the instructions of public safety officials," authorities wrote in the emergency alert.

At 6 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff's Department lifted the evacuation orders for the following residents:

• All of Bayshore Avenue south of Coral
• Seahorse Avenue west of Seaview, all of Bayshore south of Peninsula

Authorities also lifted a warning to residents along Pierpont between Greenock, Seaward, and Harbor, as well as a shelter-in-place order for people living west of Pierpont, south of San Pedro and north of Greenock.

The following roads have been closed:

• Monmouth Way between Pierpont Boulevard and Harbor Boulevard.

Administrators issued an early pickup request for students at Pierpont Elementary School. Students who cannot be picked up and need to stay at the school will be sheltering in place.

The department released an incident dashboard to track the latest updates.

Crews believe the gas originated in an underground storm drain or sewer pipeline system near the Pierpont community in Ventura.