California - Explosion and massive fire ripped through San Bruno / Death toll at 6

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San Bruno fire chief puts explosion death toll at 6

September 10, 2010 | 4:21 am
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The explosion and massive fire that ripped through San Bruno left six dead, the fire chief said Friday morning, and he expected the toll to rise as more homes are searched.

San Bruno Fire Captain Charlie Barringer stood on Glenview Drive a block above Claremont Drive about 2 a.m. and surveyed the damage as firefighters pointed their hoses at the smoldering remains of a half dozen homes.

The power was still out. Spot fires were still burning in yards near the charred remains of station wagons, the air thick and acrid. Many houses remained eerily untouched, SUVs still parked in the driveways, solar-powered garden lights burning, newspapers wrapped in plastic still lying where they were tossed on the grass Thursday morning.

Barringer has been based at the local station for the past three years, one of three firefighters on Engine 52, the first to respond to the explosion.

?I thought a 747 had landed on us,? he said. ?It shook our station right to its foundation.?

Within a minute, he had sounded a four-alarm fire, he said. Soon after, he said firefighters discovered a gas line had exploded, destroying not only homes but the grid of water mains that supplied the local fire hydrants.

His crew had no water to fight the fires.

?We were overwhelmed. We had multiple neighborhoods on fire,? he said.

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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/san-bruno-fire-chief-puts-explosion-death-toll-at-6.html

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Re: California - Explosion and massive fire ripped through San Bruno / Death toll at 6

PG&E Continues Response Efforts at Scene of San Bruno Fire

Release Date: September 10, 2010

Contact: PG&E External Communications (415) 973-5930


SAN BRUNO, Calif. ? Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) crews worked through the night and continue to work this morning with emergency officials at the scene of yesterday's explosion and fire in San Bruno.

"On behalf of our 20,000 men and women, our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by yesterday's terrible tragedy," said PG&E President Chris Johns. "I also want to express our appreciation to the hundreds of first responders and emergency services personnel who were on scene and who are assisting those in need."

PG&E crews are working to make the area safe, assess damage and restore service, where possible. PG&E's emergency operations center has been activated, and additional crews are ready to assist.

The damaged section of the 30-inch steel gas transmission pipeline has been isolated and gas flow has been stopped to the affected area. Gas flow to the area gas distribution pipes has also been stopped.

As of 4 a.m., there were approximately 300 customers without gas service and about 700 customers who remained without electricity. Initially, PG&E cut electric service to 5,800 customers in the area for the safety of first responders.

PG&E crews will be walking the neighborhood with the Fire Department this morning to make sure it is safe to restore power, where possible. PG&E crews are also proactively surveying the gas transmission and distribution system to determine the extent of damage and ensure safety and begin restoration and repairs.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency responsible for investigating natural gas pipeline incidents, is expected to be on site today. NTSB will lead a comprehensive investigation and will be the principal source of information about the investigation as it progresses.

PG&E will cooperate fully with the NTSB and all other federal, state and local agencies in the effort to identify the cause of this accident. The company will take all necessary steps to resolve any PG&E-related issues identified through the investigation process, and will take all appropriate steps to assist those affected.

Meanwhile, the company is working with the Red Cross to provide emergency shelter for those in need. Anyone in need of assistance or shelter can contact the Red Cross at <NOBR>1-888-443-5722</NOBR> <NOBR>(888-4-HELP-BAY)</NOBR>.

As part of its community outreach, PG&E will have staff on hand at the Red Cross evacuation centers to help people obtain needed help and services. The company is also coordinating an employee blood drive today to assist with the response to this incident.

http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/newsreleases/20100910/pge_continues_response_efforts_at_scene_of_san_bruno_fire.shtml

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Re: California - Explosion and massive fire ripped through San Bruno / Death toll at 6

Massive Explosion and Fire Rock San Bruno

By LORI PREUITT

Updated 8:56 AM PDT, Fri, Sep 10, 2010

A huge PG&E gas line explosion and fire rocked San Bruno Thursday night igniting dozens of homes in an instant. By morning the devastation was clear. Dozens of homes had been damaged or destroyed.

This happened near Skyline Boulevard and San Bruno Avenue. People who were home at the time had no warning. Many said they had minutes if not seconds to get themselves, their loved ones and pets out before a wall of fire and a hail of asphalt rained down on the neighborhood.

Emergency officials lowered the number of destroyed homes from 53 homes to 38 home by Friday daylight. They said seven more homes were significantly damaged and dozens more were damaged in one way or another, but still standing. Aerial pictures from the scene showed many homes gone to their foundation. Others were missing roof tops. Dozens more vehicles that were parked on the street were also destroyed.

Witnesses said the cars and homes exploded from the heat from the massive explosion.

The area damaged by the fires and explosion spread across 15 acres. Fire crews said in a late-night briefing that they thought they had the fire contained, but they stayed on scene overnight to watch for hot spots and flying embers.

They said it would be late Friday before they could make a complete search of the fire zone as they search for possible victims.

On Friday morning, state officials said at least four people were dead. They also said 52 patients were being treated; three of them with critical burns. Four firefighters were also being treated for smoke inhalation.

Many more people suffered burn wounds and smoke inhalation. The most critical were taken to the premier burn center in the Bay Area which is St. Francis in San Francisco.
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Much more with video and pictures:

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Huge-Explosion-Rocks-San-Bruno-102589904.html