HazMat Team Swarms Near Mt. San Jacinto Campus, A Dozen Homes Evacuated During Incident

SAN JACINTO, CA — A damaged propane tank adjacent to Mt. San Jacinto College Wednesday, prompting multiple residential evacuations and road closures as a public safety precaution.

Just after 4 p.m., the hazardous materials emergency was reported near West Community College Drive and Heritage Ranch Road, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Multiple engine crews and a hazmat team were sent to the location and found a 55-gallon propane tank leaking due to a broken shutoff valve, a spokesperson for the department said.

Firefighters and Riverside County Sheriff's deputies evacuated 12 homes in the immediate vicinity of the damaged tank and closed vehicular access to the location, according to reports from the scene.

Technicians from the company that maintains the tank were summoned to make repairs, but as of 5:15 p.m., they had not yet arrived.

The hazmat unit was unable to immediately cap the leak, but shortly before 6 p.m., all evacuated residents were allowed to re-enter their homes.

No injuries reported, and firefighters remained at scene for until 6:30 p.m. for incident cleanup.