SoCalGas ordered to offer cleaning services to Porter Ranch residents

WESTLAKE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Southern California Gas Company was ordered by a judge Friday to offer cleaning services to thousands of homeowners who relocated after the gas leak near Porter Ranch.

Once the cleaning is done, residents would have 48 hours to move back home.

The judge's ruling marks an end to the relocation program, which began after the gas leak was detected in October 2015.

About 2,500 people were still in temporary housing after a total of about 8,000 were displaced.

At issue on Friday was the recent discovery of metal-laden dust inside homes. Health officials said it's not dangerous, but cleaning is needed because the dust can cause minor irritations.

"It is a very specific form of cleaning which involves HEPA vacuums," said Paul Kiesel, an attorney for Porter Ranch homeowners. "It involves steam cleaning; it involves surface wiping to get rid of any hazardous material that might exist."

Residents staying in hotels have until Wednesday to opt into the cleanup program. Those staying in other places have until Friday.

The parties were due back in court June 10.