A firefighter watches the blaze after a gas line exploded near Fresno, California April 17. (Credit: REUTERS)
A construction crew on April 17 accidentally ruptured a natural gas transmission line in Fresno, California, sparking an explosion and fire that injured up to 15 people, four of them critically, officials said.
The 12 inch (30cm) pipeline, belonging to Pacific Gas & Electric Corp (PG&E), was struck by a backhoe near state Highway 99, unleashing a fireball that injured members of the construction team and a jail inmate crew nearby, Fresno Fire Department spokesman Peter Martinez said.
One worker in critical condition was flown to hospital by helicopter, and 13 or 14 others were taken to hospitals for evaluation and treatment of injuries after the pipeline was ruptured at about 2:30 pm, Martinez added.
The utility had shut off the gas flow by 3:20 pm, with the residual amount in the pipeline burning off just before 4 pm, said PG&E spokesman Donald Cutler.
REUTERS
