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Ashland Gas Explosion Levels Homes, Injures 6 as Federal Probe Opens

Investigators are examining why the blast followed a reported gas shutoff about ten minutes earlier.

Overview

  • Officials said six people were hospitalized, including three in serious condition, after the blast in the East Bay community near Hayward.
  • PG&E reported an outside construction crew damaged an underground gas line around 7:35 a.m., and the utility said it stopped the gas flow at 9:25 a.m. before the explosion shortly thereafter.
  • Project documents list Redgwick Construction for the roadway work at the site, and authorities are reviewing excavation and notification procedures.
  • Three buildings were destroyed at 867 E. Lewelling Boulevard as roughly 75 firefighters battled a large fire and dealt with downed power lines.
  • The NTSB is sending an investigative team, and local agencies ordered evacuations and closed nearby roads including southbound Highway 238.