LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) "relit" its iconic Blue Flame recently at its Pico Rivera, Calif., training facility in front of more than 300 employees, retirees and officials, after refurbishing the 46-foot, 13,000 pound statue.

The Blue Flame was first hoisted atop the roof of the former headquarters of Southern Counties Gas Company (which became the headquarters of Southern California Gas Company after a merger) on Jan. 24, 1960, at 8th and Flower Streets in downtown Los Angeles where it stayed for more than 31 years. When SoCalGas moved to its current location at The Gas Company Tower in downtown Los Angeles, the Blue Flame was put in storage where it remained for more than 20 years. It wasn't until SoCalGas' Facilities Department employees proposed that it be relit that the Blue Flame was refurbished and gingerly moved to be put on permanent display at SoCalGas' Pico Rivera Base.

"Seeing this flame really brings back memories," said Anne Shen Smith, chief operating officer of SoCalGas, during the re-lighting ceremony. "Throughout all of the decades, the flame has come to represent the enduring commitment of our caring and dedicated employees, our unwavering commitment to the communities we serve, our ongoing focus on safety and our high level of customer service. The flame symbolizes the warmth our employees share with the communities we serve."

"SoCalGas is the fourth-largest employer in the City of Pico Rivera. The company is essential to our tax base, but more importantly; SoCalGas employees are a welcome part of our community. The company's flame icon will stand for many years as a testament to the outstanding people who work for SoCalGas," said Pico Rivera Mayor Pro Tem Gus Camacho.

About Southern California Gas Co.

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years.  It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities.  The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.  SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120126/LA42209-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120126/LA42209-b)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110110/MM27708LOGO)

SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.