The City of Newport Beach has declared a local emergency after methane gas was discovered seeping into a home on the Balboa Peninsula, prompting an evacuation order for nearby residences on Thursday morning.

Officials said the gas was detected at a property in the 3600 block of Marcus Avenue and is believed to be caused by oil intrusion from an abandoned private oil well located beneath the home.

Following consultations with public safety and utilities officials, the city issued an emergency evacuation order for the affected property and several adjacent homes. The area has since been restricted to authorized personnel, including emergency crews and city staff.

“Our top priority is the safety of residents and our neighborhoods,” City Manager Grace Leung said in a statement. “We are taki

See Full Page