250,000-gallon sewage spill enters Los Angeles River in Downey, prompting beach closures in Long Beach
About 250,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the Los Angeles River Thursday after equipment used by sanitation crews malfunctioned, officials said. According to the Los Angeles County Sanitation District, the malfunction happened around 9 a.m.. and caused temporary blockage in the sewer. Sewage then overflowed into the street at Burns Avenue and Rives Avenue in Downey, officials said. The county said sanitation crews cleared the blockage at 11:20 a.m. and have since been focusing on cleaning up the streets.