Authorities issued a temporary shelter-in-place order after a natural gas line rupture caused an explosion near the 5 Freeway in Castaic, California, on December 27, 2025.

Resident-recorded footage captured a loud blast followed by a roaring, jet-like sound and a visible smoke plume rising near the interstate. The incident prompted an immediate emergency response as concerns grew over potential secondary hazards in the area.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene and worked to contain the situation while the affected section of Interstate 5 was fully closed for approximately four hours. The closure caused significant traffic backups as emergency crews secured the area and assessed the damage.

Officials confirmed that the shelter-in-place order was lifted by approximately 9:00 p.m. once the gas line was secured and the area deemed safe. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the gas line rupture remains under investigation. Authorities emphasized that the swift response and temporary evacuation measures were taken out of an abundance of caution to protect nearby residents and motorists.

Traffic on I-5 gradually resumed following the all-clear, though drivers were advised to expect residual delays as conditions normalized.