Thread: Huge Explosion Sparks Massive San Bruno, CA. Fire -FBI there

(UPDATED) Huge Explosion Sparks Massive San Bruno Fire

Photo by MisterLucky13

According to CBS 5, "a huge explosion happened in the San Bruno area and huge flames can be seen...the flames are near Crestmore and San Ramon Avenues." The fire has torched multiple homes; an entire neighborhood is on fire. A least half a dozen homes are ablaze.

Mike MCCarron, SFO spokesman, says there are no planes unaccounted for from SFO, but CBS 5 says it's a plane crash, though it has yet to be confirmed. KTVU says it's a possible gas station fire.

Update 6:45:: People online confirm that the fire started out as a long, roaring sound, then an explosion, which sound like it could have very well been a plane crash. Whatever started this horrific blaze, something is fueling it. The blaze is roaring out of control.

6:50: KTVU reports, "FAA says they do not believe this was the result of a plane crash."

6:58: Highway 280 is closed. The fire, centered around San Bruno Avenue and Skyline Blvd., has prompted the evacuation of the area. CBS 5 says, " Many residents have reported seeing a plane go down. Others felt a huge shock wave, and heard an explosion. "

7:00 The flame are enormous, dwarfing the homes.

7:04: SFO spokesman tells KTVU there's "no record of any plane going down anywhere in northern CA."

7:05: Highways 30 and 85 are closed. Six patients are in critical condition at Kaiser in South SF.

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Strong winds fanning huge San Bruno fire

September 9, 2010 | 7:38 pm

Strong winds were stoking a powerful fire that had leveled a number of homes in a hillside San Bruno neighborhood as fire crews struggled to contain the conflagration, according to a witness near the scene.

"The flames are getting bigger and bigger," said Xabier Berrueta, who was watching the devastation from several blocks away. "Its' just a huge fire."

Initial news reports from the are were saying the blaze may have been sparked by a large gas line rupture. There were also reports of people who were badly burned and others who were hurled through the air by a powerful explosion that preceded the blaze.

A spokesman for Pacific Gas and Electric had yet to return calls for comment.

--Robert J. Lopez
Email: newstips@latimes.com
Twitter: @latimescitydesk @lanow
Facebook: latimescitydesk

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... -fire.html

24 inch natural gas pipeline rupture caused this.

VIDEO @

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7659573

absolute devastation...could be up to 50 homes burned ...so far no word on casualties

7:11: PG&E are "looking into it:" and "don't know" what's going on, exactly. About an hour ago, the fire started after a "massive explosion." The fire has yet to subside.

7:14: The flames coming from the fire, according to CBS 5, appear to stem from natural gas. PG&E says they cannot confirm if it's a PG&E line.



Another view of the fire. (Photo by by tomobiki)
7:21: KTVU is quoting a source within PG&E as saying that the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire was indeed a break in a natural gas line. Describing the source as "very reliable," they quote him or her as saying that the broken line is line number 132, a large (16-24 inches) pipe. They do not know when they will be able to repair it.

7:26: "There is no fighting this fire. It is unbelievable," says one reports. "I've never seen anything like it." We concur. It's just one large fireball shooting from the ground.

7:28: @edog1203 "Riding Caltrain, just passed huge fire in San Bruno. Giant fireball plumes. Terrifying."

7:31: The size of the flames have subsided a bit, but only a bit. No word yet on number of casualties.

7:36: @TheFireTracker2: "If you are in the area please stay off your cell phones so public safety has access."



Photo by RodrigoBNO
7:41: So far, 12 homes have been confirmed burned down. But, alas, from what we're seeing, it looks like a heck of a lot more.

7:45: To reiterate, this is a high-pressure gas fire, not a downed aircraft. Personnel are asking the public to please stay out of the area. An entire neighborhood is on fire.

7:50: The explosion has been pinpointed at Sequoia Avenue and Sneath Lane. The fire has subsided, but it will take until tomorrow morning (at least) to extinguish the flames.



As seen from San Francisco (Photo by twinpeaks_sf)
8:10: Other sources: "Blaze is jumping from house to house." - SFGate.

"Firefighters from San Bruno and surrounding cities are battling the blaze that started on a hillside and is now consuming homes in a residential neighborhood." - Mercury News.

"Fire retardant dropping planes from CalFire have been brought in to douse some of the flames. Authorities have not yet released information about injuries or possible fatalities from the explosion." - The Weather Space

"Firefighters throughout the Bay Area including 50 from Alameda County have been asked to provide mutual aid for the San Bruno fire and explosion." - California Beat

"All flights and operations [at SFO] were normal Thursday evening." - CNN

8:19: Fire crews report looters in evacuated areas.

8:20: Many casualties, according to CBS 5, with reports of 911 calls of people trapped inside their houses.

8:23: Shelter and food will be provided for people who cannot make it home tonight at the Veterans Rec Center at 251 City Park Way in San Bruno.

8:30: Looking to help? According to CBS 5, the Red Cross is asking for O negative blood, but any kind of blood won't be turned away. Visit Blood Centers of the Pacific for donation locations. You can also call the American Red Cross at 1-888-443-5722 for more information. Note: Blood Center of the Pacific urges people to come in to donate blood tomorrow morning when they will, presumably, run out of blood.



Photo by Paul Sakuma / AP

8:39: FBI has moved into the area. "Joint terrorism taskforce," screams the jacket of one agent.

8:40: If you have a loved one in the area, you can call the San Bruno Emergency Hotline at 650-616-7180. Please do NOT tie up the line.

8:42: Hundreds of people already seeking help at Red Cross shelter in San Bruno. Teams are arriving with cots, food and water. Also: @RedCrossBayArea: "Evacuation Center open @ Bay Hill Shopping Center at San Bruno Ave and Cherry Street. Red Cross volunteers on scene to help."



AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
8:55: PG&E spokesman speaking with KZTVU says they have crews on the scene, aim to make the area safe, and will not confirm whether or not the gas line is their own. Very guarded. All other sources, including firefighters, say that it's a natural gas fire.

9:05: Anyone in need of assistance or shelter can contact the Red Cross at 1-888-443-5722 (888-4help-bay). Also: @kgoradio points out, "Highlands Christian School in San Bruno: No classes tomorrow, will be open for community prayer."

9:10: For what it's worth, SF Giant Pablo Sandoval's mom was evacuated and is safe.

9:12: The general consensus of each reporter and anchor on each major station is that they've never seen anything like this before, ever. SF General has five patients in critical condition, related to the San Bruno Fire. Other hospitals throughout the area house patients as well.

http://sfist.com/2010/09/09/huge_explos ... _san_b.php

New pictures @

http://sfist.com/2010/09/09/huge_explos ... _san_b.php

8:39: FBI has moved into the area. "Joint terrorism taskforce," screams the jacket of one agent.

http://sfist.com/2010/09/09/huge_explos ... _san_b.php

9:30: A few neighbors tell CBS 5 that they smelled gas in the area over the past week. PG&E came out because residents were complaining about the smell. But, according to the neighbors, they did nothing.

9:42: Fire subsiding.

9:52: The corner's office confirms one death so far.

9:54: San Bruno Fire Chief cannot yet confirm whether or not fire is contained. Cal Fire has around 150 fighters out there, plus additional local assistance.

http://sfist.com/2010/09/09/huge_explos ... _san_b.php

Gas line capped.

53 structures destroyed.

120 structures damaged.

KTLA NEWS

penis. We're certain this is not worth investigating.

10:01: PG&E reports an estimated 5,000 San Bruno customers are without power. Also, if you'd like to donate blood (an urgent call is out for O-negative) please call the Pacific Blood Center's donation hotline at 1-888-393-GIVE.

10:06: San Bruno has been declared a state of emergency, says Sen. Leeland Yee.

10:08: NBC Bay Area says PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith confirms that the gas line was PG&E's. In part of a written statement, Smith said "Though a cause has yet to be determined, we know a PG&E gas line was ruptured. If we are responsible...we will take full responsibility."

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