Not Such A Gas

A few months ago LA Observed briefly talked about the wonders of the La Brea Tar Pits and the methane gas located underground in the Fairfax district... at the time, I mentioned how tar continually oozes through the walls in the underground parking garage here at the Variety/E!/Spelling office complex. There's also a permanent methane-fueled rotten eggs smell at the corner of 6th and Fairfax, where one day I fear the 99 Cents Only store will explode.

Couldn't happen? It did in 1985, when a methane leak caused an explosion at the Ross Dress for Less store on 3rd. Several people were injured, a fire caused extensive damage, but luckily, no one was killed. The explosion's greatest impact was on L.A.'s fledgling transit plan. Originally slated to travel down Wilshire and up Fairfax, the Red Line subway instead stops at Western and travels up through Hollywood.

I thought about all of this today as a foul odor spread throughout the offices this morning. Was it a dangerous gas? Or did someone leave their lunch festering on their desk over the weekend?