4 Hospitalized Following Wilmington Refinery Gas Leak

LOS ANGELES -- Four people exposed to leaking gases at a Wilmington refinery today were transported for hospital treatment, one in serious condition, authorities said.

The problem was reported about 6:40 a.m. in the 2100 block of East Pacific Coast Highway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The gases were reported to be butane and hydrogen sulfide, according to Nicholas Prange of the LAFD. Crews shut down the leak, and there was no evacuation order involving the nearby community, Prange said.

``The hazardous materials risk has been mitigated,'' Prange said.

Paramedics transported four patients: a 40-year-old man in serious condition; and three other men -- ages 26, 35, and 43 -- in ``moderate'' condition, Prange said.

The circumstances of the leak were under investigation.

-- City News Service