Massive explosion just south of San Francisco

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Is it odd it's running basically in someones backyard? Do we (Alberta) use cleared right-of-ways for pipelines like this?

As I look at the picture I posted, the flames seem to be coming from between 2 streets/culdesacs, along the bottom of the ridge I think, in an area that would probably be somewhat of a utility right of way, even if it is not as big as ours.

[OBCT]

UPDATE: Looks like it's back to burning again.

Not sure what's up, but there's another (smaller) fireball going strong again... looks like it's the same gas main, but it could be something else... not sure what would be left with enough fuel, though. Maybe it's just the last of the remaining gas they're blowing out of the pipe, or something??

[nik-]

damn ... that neighbourhood got razed.

[OBCT]

Status update

As of 11:00pm local time (5 hours after the initial blast):

The fire is 50% contained. The initial gas main which exploded has been extinguished for good.

53 homes have been completely destroyed.
Another 120+ homes have been otherwise damaged.

1 confirmed incident-related fatality.
20+ confirmed burn-related admittances to area hospitals.
Dozens more admitted for shock, or other mostly minor/precautionary reasons.
No estimate yet for total number of people displaced by this explosion/fire.

PG&E has now admitted publically that the ruptured gas line in question is theirs. They have not yet accepted fault for the incident, nor openly speculated on the cause nor the possible ramifications of it for their company. Neither have they verified any details of earlier speculation, such as it being a 24" natural gas main.


Interestingly, the initial explosion was forceful enough to rupture a nearby water main, rendering all local fire hydrants pressureless (and useless) for first response firefighters. It took crews nearly 30 minutes to implement a reliable workaround, thus all units were finally provided full capacity to their hoses after the key initial containment period.

[dissentowner]

Hopes and prayers go out to the victims, very sad.

[Frequitude]

I can't believe only one person is reported dead...

[SeeBass]

I think that is the gay neighborhood in San Fran and somebody is on FIRE

Perhaps if it started "raining men" it could just put itself out.

Sorry couldn't help myself there

too soon?

[Hanni]

Picture gallery

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11258859

[Icon]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Is it odd it's running basically in someones backyard? Do we (Alberta) use cleared right-of-ways for pipelines like this?

I know at least some of the communities in Calgary have gas lines between houses run under front lawns & driveways... If I recall they're supposed to be under the street (or immediately adjacent to it), but if for whatever reason they don't get installed before/in-conjunction-with the street being built, then they make do.


Back on topic... that's one hell of a fire! Thoughts are with the families involved, both for their safety & property loss.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

I think that is the gay neighborhood in San Fran and somebody is on FIRE

Perhaps if it started "raining men" it could just put itself out.

Sorry couldn't help myself there

too soon?

Take my wife please

Thats what she said

A guy walks into the psychiatrist wearing only Clingfilm for shorts.
The shrink says, "Well, I can clearly see you're nuts."


I went to the butchers the other day and I bet him 50 quid that he
couldn't reach the meat off the top shelf. He said, "No, the steaks
are too high."


A man came round in hospital after a serious accident. He shouted,
"Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied "I know you
can't, I've cut your arms off".


Police arrested two kids yesterday; one was drinking battery
acid, and the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let
the other one off.


wah wah wah waaaaaaaaahhhhhh

[SeeBass]

^A guy goes to see his psychiatrist and tells him he has two dreams, one he dreamed he was teepee and one he dreamed he was a wigwam. He wondered what was wrong with him.

The psychiatrist tells him thats easy ....."you are two tents"

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

I can't believe only one person is reported dead...

No kidding, that is one massive fire and then with the water main break... damn.

[shermanator]

[Phanuthier]

Damn crazy, thats 15 miles from where I live.

I have a friend who posted on FB (that lives in SB) that her home was one of the 53. She wasn't home at the time and her family was ok though.

[ernie]

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Is it odd it's running basically in someones backyard? Do we (Alberta) use cleared right-of-ways for pipelines like this?

Not sure about Alberta, but probably. I know in Ontario TransCanada Pipelines has multiple 'main lines' (I think like 5 feet diameter) running adjacent to residential backyards all over the place. They're always having problems with people wanting to build pools too close to them.