Dramatic explosion caught on video destroys homes, injures six, officials say

"A natural gas line leak triggered a dramatic explosion that destroyed a Bay Area home on Thursday, injuring six people and damaging several other properties. At least one person was inside the home before it was leveled in the blast. The individual managed to escape without injury, but six others were hurt, including three who suffered serious injuries, Alameda County Fire Department spokesperson Cheryl Hurd said."

""It was a chaotic scene," Hurd said. "There was fire and debris and smoke everywhere, power lines down, people self-evacuated from the home. ... Someone was on the sidewalk with severe burns." The leak started after a third-party construction crew working Thursday morning in the 800 block of East Lewelling Boulevard in Hayward struck a Pacific Gas and Electric underground natural gas line, according to a statement from the utility."

"Fire crews were first dispatched to the scene at 7:46 a.m. after PG&E reported a suspected natural gas leak, Hurd said. PG&E officials were already on scene when fire engines arrived, and reportedly told firefighters their assistance was not needed, Hurd said. Utility workers attempted to isolate the damaged line, but gas was leaking from multiple locations. Workers shut off the flow of gas at about 9:25 a.m., PG&E said in a statement."

A third-party construction crew struck a Pacific Gas and Electric underground natural gas line on East Lewelling Boulevard in Hayward, triggering a leak. Fire crews were first dispatched at 7:46 a.m. after PG&E reported a suspected natural gas leak; PG&E personnel were on scene and initially told firefighters their assistance was not needed. Workers shut off the flow of gas at about 9:25 a.m., but less than two hours later an explosion leveled a home and produced heavy flames. At least one occupant escaped unharmed. Six people were injured, including three with serious injuries, and six people were taken to Eden Medical. Surrounding homes and three buildings on two properties sustained damage.

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