Hayward's Gas Line Mishap: A Close Call for Residents

In Hayward, a gas line rupture led to a significant explosion and fire. The incident happened in a mixed residential and commercial area near Highway 238. It started when a construction crew accidentally damaged the gas line around 7:35 a. m. on Thursday. The Alameda County Fire Department sent at least 75 firefighters to tackle the three-alarm fire. The explosion occurred at about 9:30 a. m. , just minutes after utility workers managed to stop the gas flow. This raises questions about the safety measures in place for such incidents. Six people were hurt, with three in serious condition. Two of the injured were workers at the site. The explosion destroyed two homes and a workshop, while another home suffered damage. The explosion was so powerful that it shook nearby homes and blew out windows. A dramatic video captured by a Ring doorbell camera showed the moment of the explosion. It depicted a large excavator digging near the home that exploded. The video also showed people running towards the home to help after the blast. The gas line was leaking for two hours before the explosion. This delay in stopping the gas flow highlights potential issues in emergency response protocols. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) is one of the agencies investigating the incident, along with Cal/OSHA and the NTSB. Residents were fortunate that no one is missing or unaccounted for. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of gas line ruptures and the importance of quick and effective emergency responses.