Gas Leak Sparks Palm Desert Neighborhood Fire

A gas leak sparked a fire that witnesses said was as tall as a house on Wednesday at the Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Desert.

A resident smelled gas near their home at around 3:30 p.m. and then notified Southern California Gas Company, said Deborah McGarrey, a spokesperson.

The gas company arrived about a half hour later and identified the leak, which was coming from a 2-inch plastic gas line underneath the street, said McGarrey.

The fire ignited just before 7:15 p.m. while workers performed maintenance.

One of the workers sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, said McGarrey.

In total, 33 homes were evacuated, which is less than 50 people, and two homes were threatened at one point, but neither sustained any damage.

Cal Fire used foam to suppress the fire and to keep it from reigniting.

The fire was contained by 8:30 p.m. with help from 23 fire fighters, five engines and two ambulances.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was also on-scene.

At 10:15 p.m., 13 homes in the area were still without gas, as Southern California Gas Company worked through the night to fix the gas line.