Evacuated MTA Employees and Daycare Center Aided by Neighboring Metropolitan Water District.

News Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2001

When fire ravaged the upper reaches of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's headquarters in downtown Los Angeles this morning, the nearby Metropolitan Water District immediately extended a helping hand.

As many as 600 of the evacuated MTA employees also found their way to MWD's headquarters adjoining Union Station. Everyone showing MTA identification was issued a ticket for a free lunch in MWD's cafeteria.

"We want to thank MWD," said MTA spokesman Marc Littman. "We understand they were right on the spot and invited our employees into their building; that was very helpful."

MWD General Manager Ronald R. Gastelum said there was no question about assisting the adjoining agency.

"You offer help to your neighbors in urban skyscrapers just as quickly as you do when the people who live next door to you have an emergency," Gastelum said. "We were glad to help and grateful that no one was injured."

The two agencies' headquarters, on opposite sides of the Amtrak and Metrolink tracks, are connected by the pedestrian tunnel between Union Station and the MTA's Gateway Plaza.