A powerful gas explosion tore through a residential neighborhood in unincorporated Ashland, near Hayward, California, on Thursday morning, sending debris flying and leaving six people hospitalized.
The blast occurred at around 9:35 a.m. on Dec. 11, according to local outlets KCRA, KRON-4 and ABC 7 News.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) said, “The safety of our customers, hometowns and crews is PG&E’s most important responsibility.”
Earlier that morning, at about 7:35 a.m., PG&E was notified that a “third-party, unaffiliated” crew had damaged a gas line, causing a leak at multiple locations. PG&E crews were sent to the scene and were able to stop the flow of gas at approximately 9:25 a.m. — about 10 minutes before the explosion.
“Once on site, crews worked to address two separate releases of gas. One release of natural gas was stopped at 8:18 a.m. and the second release was stopped at 9:25 a.m. Shortly after, at approx. 9:35 a.m., an explosion and structure fire occurred on Lewelling Blvd.,” a PG&E spokesperson said.
“Those on site, including PG&E crews, worked with first responders on site to make the area safe,” the statement continued, adding that the company will conduct “an extensive investigation” into the cause and cooperate with any additional inquiries.
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Neighbor Brittany Maldonado, who shared doorbell camera footage with ABC7 News, described the terrifying moment the blast hit. “We were sitting in the house and it just… everything shook. Stuff fell off the walls and when we looked at the camera, it was like you were watching a war video,” she said.
Her video shows large sections of the home across the street launching into the air. A construction worker stepping out of a truck parked on her lawn can be seen flinging his arms up in shock before trying to shield himself from flying debris.
At least two nearby homes were also damaged, according to KRON-4, citing Alameda County Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nishimoto.
Roughly 75 firefighters from the Alameda County Fire Department responded to the three-alarm blaze on the 800 block of East Lewelling Blvd., ABC 7 News reported.
Fire officials said six people were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Hospital representatives told the outlet that all six were taken to Eden Medical Center, with three listed in serious condition. Authorities believe two of those injured were crew members working in the street at the time of the explosion.
No deaths have been reported.
The Alameda County Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
