Bay Area Home Leveled in Gas Line Explosion, Six Injured
A devastating explosion occurred in the Bay Area on Thursday, destroying a home and injuring six people, including three with severe injuries. The blast was triggered by a natural gas line leak, which was caused by a third-party construction crew striking an underground gas line.
According to Cheryl Hurd, spokesperson for the Alameda County Fire Department, the scene was chaotic, with fire, debris, and smoke everywhere, as well as power lines down and people self-evacuating from the home. One person was on the sidewalk with severe burns. The leak started after the construction crew, working in the 800 block of East Lewelling Boulevard in Hayward, struck a Pacific Gas and Electric underground natural gas line.
Investigation and Response
Fire crews were first dispatched to the scene at 7:46 a.m. after PG&E reported a suspected natural gas leak. However, PG&E officials told firefighters that their assistance was not needed. Utility workers attempted to isolate the damaged line, but gas was leaking from multiple locations. The flow of gas was shut off at about 9:25 a.m., but an explosion occurred about ten minutes later.
Fire crews were called back to the scene, where they encountered heavy flames and a thick column of smoke. Surrounding homes sustained damage from the blast and falling debris. Three buildings were destroyed on two separate properties, and several others were damaged, according to fire officials. Six people were taken to Eden Medical Center, including three with severe injuries requiring immediate transport.
Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation
Video captured from a Ring doorbell showed an excavator digging near the home moments before the explosion. The blast rattled nearby homes, shattered windows, and sent construction crews running. Brittany Maldonado, a resident, described the scene as a “war zone” and said it looked like a bomb had gone off inside the home.
Officials with the Sheriff’s Office, PG&E, and the National Transportation Safety Board are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the explosion. This incident is reminiscent of the 2010 PG&E pipeline rupture in San Bruno, which destroyed 38 homes and killed eight people. California regulators later approved a $1.6-billion fine against the utility for violating state and federal pipeline safety standards.
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