Key takeaways

• A natural gas explosion in the Ashland area near Hayward has destroyed homes and injured six people, all of whom are expected to survive.
• The blast followed damage to an underground PG&E gas line by a third-party construction crew working on road and sidewalk upgrades on East Lewelling Boulevard.
• The NTSB and state regulators are investigating the Hayward gas explosion, which was captured on a neighbor’s doorbell camera and has raised wider safety concerns about pipeline work in residential areas.

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A natural gas explosion in the unincorporated Ashland neighborhood near Hayward, California, has destroyed at least one home and injured six people after a construction crew struck an underground gas line on Thursday morning.

Fire officials say the blast happened around 9:30 a.m., about two hours after workers damaged the gas line while doing county road and sidewalk upgrades on East Lewelling Boulevard. The explosion triggered a three-alarm fire and sent debris and smoke high over the residential street.

Doorbell camera video from a nearby house captured the exact moment the Hayward home exploded, with a huge fireball engulfing the building and throwing materials into the air. Neighbors reported windows blown out and a strong shockwave that shook surrounding properties.

According to the Alameda County Fire Department, six people were taken to hospital, including road workers and residents, with three initially listed in serious condition. Health officials later said all six injured people are now expected to survive.

Authorities say at least three buildings, including two homes and a workshop, were destroyed or severely damaged, and several nearby structures suffered broken windows and other impacts. Around 75 firefighters and multiple engines were deployed to contain the blaze and secure the area.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) confirmed that a third-party construction crew damaged the gas line and that company workers shut off the gas flow at about 9:25 a.m., minutes before the explosion. The National Transportation Safety Board and California workplace safety regulators have opened investigations into the pipeline incident and the construction work.

Officials say it could take weeks to determine the precise cause and whether safety rules were followed, and they have asked residents with video or information about the Hayward explosion to contact investigators.