L.A. tries closing off manhole where people live, nearly sealing someone inside.

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City crews nearly welded a South Los Angeles manhole shut Wednesday with a person still inside.
The discovery came days after social media videos documented people living in storm drains, prompting a city response residents said was long overdue.

City crews were on the verge of welding a manhole cover shut in South Los Angeles on Wednesday morning when a surprise discovery stopped them in their tracks.

“Hey, there’s someone down there,” said one of the workers in a reflective yellow vest. He pointed to the storm drain at West 88th Street and South Grand Avenue.

Seconds later, a man in his late 20s climbed out of the darkness, carrying with him a pink polka dot roller suitcase. He walked away and, minutes later, the bright light of a welding gun sealed the manhole shut.

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