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

Incident Overview

• Location: Mixed residential and commercial area near Highway 238, Hayward
• Time: Around 7:35 a.m. on Thursday
• Cause: Construction crew accidentally damaged a gas line

Firefighting Efforts

• Response: At least 75 firefighters from the Alameda County Fire Department
• Alarm Level: Three-alarm fire
• Explosion Time: Approximately 9:30 a.m., shortly after gas flow was stopped

Casualties and Damage

• Injured: Six people, three in serious condition
• Workers Hurt: Two of the injured were on-site workers
• Destruction:
• Two homes and a workshop destroyed
• One home damaged
• Windows blown out in nearby homes

Video Evidence

• Source: Ring doorbell camera
• Details:
• Captured the moment of the explosion
• Showed an excavator digging near the home that exploded
• Depicted people running to help after the blast

Investigation and Response Concerns

• Gas Leak Duration: Two hours before the explosion
• Investigating Agencies:
• Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E)
• Cal/OSHA
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• Key Issue: Delay in stopping the gas flow raises questions about emergency response protocols

Community Impact

• No Missing Persons: Residents confirmed no one is missing or unaccounted for
• Reminder: Highlights the dangers of gas line ruptures and the need for quick, effective emergency responses