Shocking video shows massive Hayward building explosion after gas line rupture; 6 injured
HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- A gas explosion set off a major fire in a Hayward neighborhood on Thursday after obliterating at least one home, blowing out windows and shaking nearby homes. Six people were taken to hospitals for injuries, fire officials said.
The Alameda County Fire Department says crews were dispatched to the 800 block of East Lewelling Blvd. for reports of a natural gas leak. Firefighters arrived on scene at 7:50 a.m. and officials said they were cleared by PG&E crews at 7:55 a.m.
Just a couple of hours later, at 9:38 a.m., firefighters were called back out to the same location after reports of an explosion and fire.
Dramatic footage captured by a home's doorbell camera showed a large excavator being used to dig in front of the home that exploded as a worker stood nearby.
Within moments, a massive explosion and flames blew out the walls and the roof of the home. People nearby appeared to be dazed for a few seconds, before running toward the home to search for any victims. Several workers lifted a large piece of debris from where it landed near the excavator.
"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," Brittany Maldonado, who provided the doorbell cam footage, told ABC7 News.
MORE: Witnesses describe seeing victims walk out of home after Hayward explosion: 'Blood all over'
Two homes were impacted by the explosion and fire, and a workshop in the back of one of them. Another home has some damage on the side facing the explosion. The neighborhood is a mixed housing and business area right off Highway 238.
Fire officials believe two of the six people injured were workers in the street. Hospital officials say all the victims were taken to Eden Medical Center, and three of six victims are in serious condition.
PG&E, Cal/OSHA, NTSB and several other agencies have launched investigations following Thursday's explosion.
Why weren't residents immediately evacuated?
ABC7 News I-Team reporter Melanie Woodrow is investigating why first responders didn't evacuate people from the area upon arrival. She talked to a fire expert about what the standard protocol is in situations like this.
At 7:35 a.m., PG&E says it learned a 3rd party had struck an underground gas line and immediately dispatched crews.
At 9:25 a.m., PG&E stopped the flow of gas.
The explosion happened 10 minutes later.
PG&E says "it's a process" to stop the flow of gas.
"We did have to isolate the lines and the damaged lines," said PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian.
Richard Meier is a fire and explosion investigator. We asked him for insight on how long it usually takes to turn off the gas.
"To me, it's not reasonable; it's understandable why it takes them so long, but I don't think it is reasonable in that they could do a better job identifying the locations where their valves are, put them in more accessible places where they are easier to access," said Meier.
Another big question: why didn't PG&E or first responders evacuate the area?
"It is not something that we typically do; it is something that first responders usually do," said Sarkissian.
But first responders pushed back on that.
"When our crews showed up two hours prior, we did not smell gas, detect gas, or see any reason for an emergency, so we waited to speak to PG&E, and PG&E said they could handle the situation, so our crews released at that point," said Alameda County Fire Deputy Chief Ryan Nishimoto.
"It is the responsibility of the gas company to evacuate people in the event of a known leak; they can't just push that off onto the fire department. What if no one had called the fire department and they're the only ones there?" said Meier.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Stay with ABC7 News for updates on this developing story.
