California

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 — 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.