Rain probably led to rupture that closed the 5, expert says

Major gas line break in Castaic was likely caused by a landslide set off by the heavy storm. The freeway was shut down for nearly four hours.

- BY ITZEL LUNA

KAYLA BARTKOWSKI Los Angeles Times WORKERS assess and repair a ruptured Southern California Gas Co. pipeline near the 5 Freeway in Castaic.

As Southern California Gas Co. crews investigate a major pipeline rupture that triggered a shutdown of the 5 Freeway in Castaic this weekend, at least one expert said that heavy rains were likely to blame for causing massive land movement in the area.

The pipeline break, which some residents said sounded like the roar of a jet engine, occurred Saturday afternoon and forced a nearly four-hour closure of the freeway, as residents were ordered to shelter in place.

Although the utility has yet to announce an official cause of the accident, a spokesperson said Monday it appeared that significant land movement in the area caused the break. Aerial news footage of the rupture showed giant plumes of dust rising from the broken pipeline, as well as a collapsed hillside nearby.