KQED News

Homes Destroyed in San Bruno Fire

At least three people have died and more have been hospitalized with burns after a massive fire roared through San Bruno. Officials say the flames were 80-feet-high. The raging fire destroyed 53 homes and damaged more than 120.

September 9, 2010 -- 11:00 PM

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At least three people have died and more have been hospitalized with burns after a  massive fire roared through San Bruno. Officials say the flames were 80-feet-high. The raging fire destroyed 53 homes and damaged more than 120.

Late last night Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado declared a state of emergency for the fire, allowing more money and help to reach to fire victims.

The fire began just after 6 pm PDT when a PG&E natural gas transmission line was ruptured, the company said in a statement.

"It looks like a bomb went off," said KQED's Scott Shafer. "There are homes leveled. There are trees that are just now stumps because they have burned, in some to the ground."

A loud explosion thundered through the neighborhood, and many thought that a plane had originally crashed, Shafer said.

"Many people of course are were trying to get to safety, get out of their homes and figure out what had happened, whether it was an earthquake or a plane crash," Shafer said. "Many people went outside to look and felt these tremendous flames."

Neighbors gathered the streets behind police lines and waited to see what was left of their homes, Shafer said.

Firefighters were on the scene from throughout the Bay Area, and the Red Cross created a shelter at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center.

Julio Barajas was there with his wife, four children, mother, sister and brother.

"I was outside watering my lawn when I started hearing this noise that really sounded like an airplane engine. A very low airplane engine, it vibrated my whole body," Barajas said. "Then I heard one more loud noise then there was an explosion. I was facing toward it and then I saw a big fire-ball going up and it just turned into really black smoke."

Barajas evacuated his family after the San Mateo's sheriffs office called.

People who were injured largely went to four Bay Area hospitals: Kaiser Permanente, Seton Medical Center, San Francisco General Hospital, and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Some victims in critical condition were sent to Saint Francis where they have a burn center.

Early in the evening Seton Medical Center put out a "triage code" call for local medical professionals to come and help. Kaiser Permanente turned away doctors and nurses from other facilities and felt that they were adequately staffed, according to KQED's Amanda Stupi.

Hospitals have depleted their blood banks treating people who were injured in the fire. They are calling for blood donations, especially from people with Type O Negative blood that can be given to anyone. Make an appointment online at http://www.redcross.org/where at a center near you.

The California Public Utilities Commission is investigating the fire and explosion and had an investigator on the scene last night.

PG&E released a statement later in the evening confirming that a gas line had ruptured.

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

The utility was also at the scene to turn off the main, and restore power to the region.

View a map of the fire, shelters, and hospitals.