Possible gas leak leads to Newport beach hazardous materials investigation, evacuations

Some Newport Beach residents were forced to evacuate as a hazardous materials investigation was underway on Monday afternoon. 

At around 3:20 p.m., Newport Beach Police Department officers shared a statement on X asking people to stay indoors or avoid the area in the Corona del Mar neighborhood near Carnation Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway to Bayside Drive, as well as Begonia to Dahlia on First for a hazmat situation due to a potential chlorine gas leak in the area. 

Both police and Newport Beach Fire Department crews were blocking the areas from the public as the situation continued to develop, their post said. Some residents were asked to shelter in place as the area was closed off by the investigation.

Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton told CBS News Los Angeles that hazmat crews were focused on a garage at a specific residence in the area, and that residents in the immediate area were evacuated. He said that they did not believe the incident had a criminal nature, but could be explosive. 

Officials also said that the hazardous material was inside of barrel inside the garage. 

It's unclear if anyone was injured as a result of the incident. 

This is a developing story. Check back for more.