California Home Explosion Near Hayward Hospitalizes Six After Gas Line Damage
HAYWARD, Calif. — A powerful explosion rocked a residential neighborhood near Hayward on Thursday morning, injuring six people and destroying multiple homes, officials reported. The blast, which was captured on a home’s doorbell camera, occurred shortly after a construction crew damaged an underground gas line, leading to a gas leak that preceded the explosion.
The incident unfolded in the unincorporated community of Ashland, adjacent to Hayward in the San Francisco Bay Area. Footage from the doorbell camera shows the house suddenly erupting in flames as debris is propelled into the air, followed by the sounds of sirens responding to the emergency. Christian Maldonado, who recorded the video, described the scene as “like a scene from Hollywood,” telling KTVU that it was “unreal.”
The Alameda County Fire Department dispatched 75 firefighters to battle the three-alarm blaze. Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nishimoto confirmed that three structures on two separate lots were destroyed, with several neighboring homes sustaining damage. Some firefighters had to temporarily retreat due to electric shocks from fallen power lines at the scene. Local residents reported extensive damage; one woman named Deborah told KTVU that “every window in my house was blown open” and that her ceiling cracked, leaving her home effectively destroyed.
The explosion occurred after Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) was alerted around 7:35 a.m. that a construction crew, not affiliated with the utility, had struck an underground gas line. Utility crews arrived promptly to isolate the leak, but gas continued to escape from multiple points. The flow of gas was finally stopped at 9:25 a.m., but the explosion happened approximately 10 minutes later. PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian confirmed that gas had been leaking for nearly two hours before the blast.
The neighborhood, consisting mostly of single-level homes near two major freeways, had been undergoing construction to widen sidewalks and add bike lanes. The California Highway Patrol temporarily closed Interstate Highway 238 as emergency responders worked to secure the area and extinguish the fire.
Six individuals were transported to local hospitals with injuries sustained in the explosion. The Alameda County Fire Department continues to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Gas line safety remains a critical concern in California, where aging infrastructure and ongoing construction projects intersect. The Pacific Gas & Electric Company has protocols for responding to gas leaks, but incidents like this underscore the risks posed when underground utilities are inadvertently damaged. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services provides guidance on emergency response and public safety during such events.
Residents in the area are urged to remain vigilant and report any gas odors or suspicious activity immediately to emergency services. The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers resources on how to prepare for and respond to gas-related emergencies.
As investigations continue, officials are reviewing construction practices and safety measures to prevent future tragedies. The community remains shaken by the blast, which serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by damaged utility lines in populated areas.
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