Hayward, California – A significant explosion rocked a Hayward neighborhood Thursday morning after a construction crew accidentally ruptured a gas line, injuring at least six individuals. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to manage the aftermath of the blast, which sent debris and flames into the sky.
The explosion occurred around 9:30 a.m., shortly after workers damaged an underground gas pipe on Lewelling Boulevard while expanding bike lanes and sidewalks. Following the incident, multiple fire units were deployed, with at least eight engines and two fire trucks responding to what was categorized as a three-alarm fire.
First responders transported the injured to nearby hospitals, although their conditions were not immediately disclosed. Observers reported a dramatic scene, with local resident Brittany Maldonado describing the moment as houses shook and items toppled from walls. She shared doorbell camera footage that captured the explosion’s dramatic impact, showing how an ordinary street was engulfed in smoke and chaos in an instant.
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) indicated that they were alerted to the damaged gas line around 7:30 a.m. and attempted to halt the gas flow shortly thereafter. The company successfully cut off the gas at several points by 9:25 a.m., mere minutes before the explosion erupted.
Firefighters received initial reports about the blast at approximately 9:38 a.m., leading to a swift response as flames consumed several neighboring buildings. Officials noted that three buildings were extensively damaged, while another structure nearby suffered varying degrees of damage.
The incident has raised concerns about construction safety protocols and the communication between utility companies and construction crews, prompting officials to review the response and investigatory measures. As authorities continue to assess the damage and investigate the cause, the community remains on high alert and is cooperating with ongoing safety examinations to prevent similar incidents in the future.