Construction resumes on El Camino plaza after leak

Demolition has restarted at the El Camino plaza after a gas leak and a problem with wires halted the project Wednesday afternoon.

Police and fire crews as well as workers from the code enforcement department and the Gas Company had to respond to the dilapidated complex just off Adams Avenue and Fairview Road at about noon when a puncture in a gas line caused a fast leak that fire department officials said could have caused an explosion.

“They’re working on other parts of the plaza while the gas leak gets repaired,” said Steve Sheldon, a spokesman for the owner.

About half the buildings in the complex had been leveled as of Thursday morning. Land owner Oxbow 101 has until June 19 to have the entire plaza demolished, cleaned up and turned into a flat dirt lot, according to an agreement with the city of Costa Mesa.

The demolition foreman on the project would not comment on the causes of the gas leak or the wiring problem, which fire crews said were caused by the company’s failure to turn off the gas before beginning the project. The project is still expected to finish on schedule, Sheldon said.

— Alan Blank