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NTSB Opens Probe After Bay Area Gas Explosion Levels Homes, Injures 6

Investigators are examining how a contractor’s strike on a PG&E gas line led to a leak response that preceded the blast.

Overview

  • An explosion hit around 9:35 a.m. Thursday on East Lewelling Boulevard in Ashland near Hayward, roughly 10 minutes after PG&E reported stopping the gas flow at 9:25 a.m.
  • Alameda County Fire reported three structures severely damaged, a three-alarm response with 75 firefighters, and closures on nearby streets and ramps.
  • Six people were hospitalized; three were initially described as serious and later reported stable, and officials say three of the injured are PG&E workers.
  • Doorbell video captured the detonation as crews worked at a county sidewalk-and-bike-lane project, and PG&E says it addressed two separate gas releases before the blast.
  • PG&E, Cal/OSHA, local authorities, and an arriving NTSB team are investigating, with the neighborhood cordoned off and gas service restricted during the probe.