Overview
- Fire officials said six people were taken to hospitals, and Eden Medical Center reported three in critical condition.
- PG&E said an outside construction crew damaged an underground gas line around 7:35 a.m. and that the workers were not utility employees.
- Utility crews isolated the line and stopped the gas flow at 9:25 a.m., with the explosion occurring shortly afterward as investigators examine the sequence.
- Doorbell-camera video provided by resident Brittany Maldonado to ABC7 captured the massive blast and its immediate aftermath.
- The fire destroyed several structures in the Ashland area near Hayward, drew about 75 firefighters, closed southbound Highway 238, and triggered precautionary evacuations.