A massive fire caused by a broken 24-inch gas main has destroyed over 50 homes and has killed at least 6 innocent victims; an unknown number of people have also been injured. Motorists from Interstate 280 were able to witness the explosion and subsequent fire, saying that the flames reached sixty feet in the air as much as an hour after the initial explosion.
The explosion took place yesterday evening at around dinner time, just as commuters were returning home. The densely-populated San Bruno, California community lies just a few miles from the San Francisco, California International Airport. The eruption is said to have occurred at the corner of Claremont and Glenview Drives. Witnesses said they at first suspected a plane had crashed into the neighborhood or that they were witnessing a massive earthquake.
Pacific Gas & Electric has confirmed that a 2 foot wide natural gas pipeline erupted, but are not confirming what may have caused the eruption, explosion, fire and widespread evacuation. The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating the incident.
San Mateo County has opened emergency centers and a shelter at the San Bruno Recreation Center to help victims of the explosion.
Callahan & Blaine is planning to file a class action lawsuit against PG&E on behalf of the victims, most likely on Monday. If you or someone you know has been injured, lost property or been otherwise harmed by this explosion, contact the law firm of Callahan & Blaine right away.
Callahan & Blaine, California’s Premier Litigation Firm, is one of the leading law firms in the state of California, and has extensive class action experience. The $38 Million Freedom Communcations/Orange County Register settlement negotiated by Callahan & Blaine is the largest class action settlement in Orange County history. We most recently filed a massive nationwide class action in California against Olive Oil producers, distributors and retail outlets for fraudulent labeling practices.
