Deadly gas blast engulfs homes in San Francisco suburb

SAN BRUNO, Calif. (Bloomberg)—A natural gas explosion tore through the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno Thursday, igniting a fire that destroyed dozens of homes. The fire killed six people, the Los Angeles Times said, citing San Bruno officials.

The explosion occurred when a gas line operated by PG&E Corp. ruptured, according to a statement from the publicly traded utility that serves the Bay Area. The cause of the blaze hasn’t been determined, San Francisco-based PG&E said.

“If it is ultimately determined that we were responsible for the cause of the incident, we will take accountability,” PG&E said in the statement.

Fifty-three homes were destroyed and 120 were damaged after a fireball rose more than 100 feet from the site of the blast, said Dennis Haag, the San Bruno fire chief. At least five people were seriously injured and more than 18 were treated for minor injuries at area hospitals, spokesmen said. Authorities won’t know the final death tally until the fire department conducts a thorough search Friday, Mr. Haag said.

The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating the cause of the explosion and fire and has an investigator at the scene gathering evidence, the agency said in a statement. The commission will “gather all relevant information about the incident and obtain information from PG&E,” it said.

California declared a state of emergency in San Mateo County, according to an e-mailed statement from Lieutenant Gov. Abel Maldonado.