A powerful gas explosion and fire near Hayward, California, on Thursday morning caused significant damage and injuries. The incident occurred on East Lewelling Boulevard, just west of Mission Boulevard and south of Interstate Highway 238, in the unincorporated community of Ashland. The area is a mix of commercial and residential structures, including single-family homes.
The explosion scattered debris across a wide area, landing on adjacent rooftops. At least two of the destroyed structures appeared to be on the same lot, 867 E. Lewelling Boulevard, listed as a four-bedroom, 3,957 square-foot home. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was notified at 7:35 a.m. that a third-party construction crew had damaged an underground gas line while digging on Lewelling Boulevard. PG&E dispatched crews to the scene, isolated the damaged line, and stopped the gas flow by 9:25 a.m. However, gas had been released at multiple locations, and the explosion occurred at 9:35 a.m.
Security camera footage from a neighbor across the street showed construction vehicles in front of the address as a large explosion destroyed much of the main structure. The neighbor, Brittany Maldonado, described the scene as if a bomb had dropped, causing her entire house to shake. Six patients were taken to nearby hospitals, with at least three treated at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley for serious injuries.
The Alameda County Fire Department reported that at least three buildings on two properties were significantly damaged, with a third property adjacent to the other properties having minor to major damage on the side where the explosion occurred. The affected structures included residential homes and a potential workshop with living quarters.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation by PG&E and other relevant authorities. Many neighbors questioned why there wasn't an evacuation in the two hours before the explosion, given that PG&E was aware of the gas leak. However, PG&E stated that it does not execute evacuations and leaves that process to first responders. The Alameda County Fire Department also mentioned that they did not evacuate the neighborhood because PG&E told them they did not need their assistance.
