Newport Beach Emergency After Methane Leak

Several homes on Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula, around the 3600 block of Marcus Avenue — including 3606 Marcus Ave. — were ordered evacuated after officials detected methane gas seeping into a residence, believed to be caused by oil intrusion from an abandoned private oil well beneath the property. The city declared a local emergency, giving officials expanded authority to secure the area and access additional resources while restricting access to authorized personnel. Firefighters and public safety crews red-tagged multiple properties and are preparing to vent any accumulated gas inside structures as responders continue on-scene operations. Newport Beach officials are working with state and regulatory agencies to determine the source and extent of the oil seepage; there were no immediate reports of injuries.