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California fire kills 6, injures 50 and destroyed over 38 homes
Source: Agencies |
September 11, 2010, Saturday
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UNITED States fire crews flooded the ruins of burning homes with water early yesterday and after a massive explosion apparently triggered by a broken gas line sent flames roaring through a neighborhood near San Francisco, killing at least six people and destroying more than 38 houses.
Thursday night's explosion was heard for miles and shot a fireball more than 300 meters in the air, sending frightened residents fleeing for safety and rushing to get belongings out of burning homes, witnesses said.
Utility officials said a natural gas line ruptured in the vicinity of the blast, which left a giant crater and sent flames tearing across several suburban blocks in San Bruno just after 6pm.
Coroner Michelle Rippy said yesterday that officials at the scene confirmed at least six deaths. At least 50 others were injured, some with critical burns.
Authorities said there could be other casualties but the fire and darkness blocked them from checking.
After the initial blast, flames reached as high as 30 meters as the fire fueled itself on burning homes, leaving some in total ruins and reducing parked automobiles to burned out hulks. At least 120 homes also suffered serious damage.
The fire had spread to four hectares and was 50 percent contained late Thursday, said Jay Allen, spokesman for the California Emergency Management Agency.
California Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, acting governor while Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Asia on a trade mission, declared a state of emergency in San Mateo County.
"It was like a bomb went off," Maldonado told CNN from the scene.
He said the cause of the conflagration was still unclear.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co said yesterday a damaged section of a 76-centimeter steel gas pipeline had been isolated and gas flow had been stopped. About 300 customers were without gas service and about 700 without electricity early yesterday morning.
The National Transportation Safety Board said yesterday that a four-member team is in San Bruno to probe the blast.
Fire Captain Charlie Barringer said the neighborhood was engulfed by the time firefighters arrived, even though the fire station was only a few blocks away.
Thursday night's explosion was heard for miles and shot a fireball more than 300 meters in the air, sending frightened residents fleeing for safety and rushing to get belongings out of burning homes, witnesses said.
Utility officials said a natural gas line ruptured in the vicinity of the blast, which left a giant crater and sent flames tearing across several suburban blocks in San Bruno just after 6pm.
Coroner Michelle Rippy said yesterday that officials at the scene confirmed at least six deaths. At least 50 others were injured, some with critical burns.
Authorities said there could be other casualties but the fire and darkness blocked them from checking.
After the initial blast, flames reached as high as 30 meters as the fire fueled itself on burning homes, leaving some in total ruins and reducing parked automobiles to burned out hulks. At least 120 homes also suffered serious damage.
The fire had spread to four hectares and was 50 percent contained late Thursday, said Jay Allen, spokesman for the California Emergency Management Agency.
California Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, acting governor while Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Asia on a trade mission, declared a state of emergency in San Mateo County.
"It was like a bomb went off," Maldonado told CNN from the scene.
He said the cause of the conflagration was still unclear.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co said yesterday a damaged section of a 76-centimeter steel gas pipeline had been isolated and gas flow had been stopped. About 300 customers were without gas service and about 700 without electricity early yesterday morning.
The National Transportation Safety Board said yesterday that a four-member team is in San Bruno to probe the blast.
Fire Captain Charlie Barringer said the neighborhood was engulfed by the time firefighters arrived, even though the fire station was only a few blocks away.
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