Hayward-area gas blast injures 6 after crew hits line; 3 homes destroyed
A construction crew struck an underground gas line in the unincorporated Ashland community near Hayward, California, triggering a gas explosion and three-alarm blaze that destroyed three structures on two lots, damaged neighboring homes, and hospitalized six people â three PG&E workers and three residents with third-degree burns. PG&E said the line was hit at about 7:35 a.m., gas flow was stopped at 9:25 a.m. and an explosion occurred roughly 10 minutes later; Alameda County Fire Department deployed 75 firefighters, crews reported electric shocks from downed power lines, and Interstate 238 was temporarily closed.
đ Key Facts
- PG&E said a non-utility construction crew damaged an underground gas line at about 7:35 a.m.; PG&E stopped gas flow at 9:25 a.m., and an explosion occurred roughly 10 minutes later.
- Six people were hospitalized: three PG&E workers and three residents; the three residents suffered third-degree burns.
- Three structures on two lots were destroyed and adjacent homes were damaged.
- Alameda County Fire Department responded with a three-alarm blaze, deploying about 75 firefighters.
- Firefighters reported electric shocks from downed power lines, and Interstate 238 was temporarily closed.
- The blast occurred in the unincorporated Ashland community near Hayward in an area undergoing sidewalk and bike-lane construction.
đ Relevant Data
Natural gas pipeline leaks are more prevalent in U.S. urban neighborhoods with majority non-white populations compared to predominantly white neighborhoods.
Disparities in natural gas leak prevalence in U.S. urban areas â ScienceDaily
In 2023, there were 1,262 incidents in Northern and Central California where homeowners or contractors damaged underground gas or electric lines while digging without first calling 811.
Failure to call 811 caused nearly 1,300 underground utility damage incidents in 2023, PGE reports â Underground Infrastructure
In Ashland, California, the population is 17.3% White, 19.2% Black, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 20.7% Asian, 0.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 31.3% Some Other Race, and 10.0% Two or More Races, with 44.3% identifying as Hispanic or Latino (of any race), according to 2020 Census data.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ashland CDP, California â U.S. Census Bureau
đ° Sources (2)
- Six people were hospitalized; three are PG&E workers and three are residents with third-degree burns.
- Three structures on two lots were destroyed; adjacent homes were damaged.
- Alameda County Fire Department deployed 75 firefighters to a three-alarm blaze.
- PG&E says a non-utility construction crew damaged an underground gas line at ~7:35 a.m.; gas flow was stopped at 9:25 a.m., and the explosion occurred about 10 minutes later.
- Firefighters reported electric shocks from downed power lines; Interstate 238 was temporarily closed.
- Location specified as the unincorporated Ashland community near Hayward; area under sidewalk/bike-lane construction.