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Four Dead After Explosion in SF Suburb

Neighborhood engulfed by fire after gas line blast

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2010 11:15 PM CDT | Updated Sep 10, 2010 11:17 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Four people are dead about 50 injured after a natural gas line explosion engulfed a neighborhood south of San Francisco in fire last night. The fire raged uncontrolled in San Bruno, near San Francisco International Airport, for at least an hour, the Chronicle reports. At least 38 homes were destroyed and dozens more damaged. The cause is unclear.

The explosion sent a fireball 1,000 feet into the air. Residents felt a huge shake and some believed there had been a plane crash or an earthquake. Police began evacuating houses near the blast within minutes as fire crews from across the area joined firefighters from the overwhelmed San Bruno fire department. Four air-tankers, two smaller planes, and 25 fire engines from the California Department of Forestry have been sent to the scene. Pacific Gas and Electric said in an emailed statement that "if it is ultimately determined that we were responsible for the cause of the incident, we will take accountability."

A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.
A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Firefighters douse a massive fire that roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.
Firefighters douse a massive fire that roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 4 comments
JimW
Sep 10, 2010 12:28 PM CDT
I wish nothing for the best for everyone that was there when it happened. Scary part is I was supposed to be there yesterday for a meeting, and it was canceled the night before. Still no word on the people I was supposed to see, but I think they were slightly South of the blaze. I sure hope so...... California fire-fighters RULE !!! Best on the planet.
kokuaguy
Sep 9, 2010 11:34 PM CDT
Again we are reminded of the debt we owe to the first responders who put themselves in harms way at times like these.
US

 
San Francisco • explosion • gas line explosion • San Bruno explosion

 

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