The State Fire Marshal may investigate every break, and shall investigate every explosion or fire, involving a pipeline reported by a local agency pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 51010) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code. The State Fire Marshal may immediately order any pipeline closed when it is determined to be necessary to do so in the interests of public safety. The pipeline shall remain closed until it is determined that operations may be resumed with safety or until any discovered safety defect has been remedied or repaired.

(Added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 861.)