A gas explosion in Hayward, California, caused a significant fire on Thursday, injuring six people, including two construction workers. The explosion occurred around 9:40 a.m., shortly after workers accidentally damaged a gas line. Approximately 75 firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire, which severely damaged at least two homes and left three victims in critical condition.
Eyewitness footage captured the moment of the explosion, as residents described feeling massive vibrations. Investigations by PG&E, Cal/OSHA, and NTSB are underway to understand the delays in shutting off the gas and the lack of immediate evacuations. PG&E stated they were notified about the gas line damage at 7:35 a.m. and shut off the gas flow at 9:25 a.m. However, concerns were raised about the time taken for gas shutoff and the initial response of fire crews, who awaited guidance from PG&E before evacuating residents. Fire officials stated it’s typically the gas company’s responsibility to manage evacuations in such situations.
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