EXCLUSIVE: Brother shares how siblings escaped Hayward gas line explosion
HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) -- We are hearing new harrowing details about how three people miraculously survived a gas explosion that leveled a home in Hayward last week.
ABC7 News reporter Luz Pena spoke exclusively with the brother who owns the destroyed house and is now caring for his brother, sister and niece who were inside the house when the explosion occurred.
"They have burns all over their bodies and broken bones," said Jorge Duenas Ponce, Hayward resident.
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According to Duenas Ponce his family was staying with him while some work was being completed on their home.
His brother had just arrived home from work and was taking off his shoes.
"My brother was exactly where the gas line is. Above it and he just said, 'I don't know the earth split and the sun came out,' and he says he went up flying in the air and that he felt like a lot of weight on him. I assume it was the rubble and that he was trying to get out," said Duenas Ponce.
Jorge said his siblings were yelling for help as flames surrounded them and they ultimately had to crawl out of the rubble.
"(My brother) says he was trying to crawl with this hands only and my sister she heard the boom, and was trying to get out and my niece she is special needs and she didn't wake up at all - and so my sister was pulling and pulling and she didn't react, and then she said they were trying to get out and everything was collapsing on them," said Duenas Ponce.
RELATED: Witnesses describe seeing victims walk out of home after Hayward explosion: 'Blood all over'
Jorge was out of the country when he got a call from a sheriff deputy telling him about the explosion and his family being hospitalized.
He flew back to find his siblings and niece in serious condition, with severe burns and multiple fractures. His sister's son had just left to go to school at the time of the explosion.
"As soon as I went to my sister's room, her face - Oh my God. I couldn't believe it. My sister, her face. She was hurting so much, and she was all burned up, really bad," said Duenas Ponce in tears.
A family friend helped Jorge open a GoFundMe to help with his sibling's hospital bills and housing knowing that their recovery will be long, but grateful they are all alive.
"I have to be strong. I don't have a car, it's really tough. I'm trying to get stuff together for them and me and it's really hard I wish I could do more, but I don't have anything. I lost everything," said Duenas Ponce.
To donate to their GoFundMe, click here.
