A powerful explosion rocked a neighborhood near Hayward Thursday morning, leaving at least six people injured and multiple buildings significantly damaged, officials said.
The explosion and subsequent fire happened along the 800 block of East Lewelling Boulevard in the unincorporated Alameda County community of Ashland after a construction crew hit an underground gas line, according to officials.
Across the street from the blast site, Christian Maldonado’s home surveillance camera captured the moment the explosion occurred. The loud blast sent debris flying. Flames then spread across multiple buildings, sending a plume of black smoke into the air.
“It looked like someone set off a bomb,” Maldonado said. The six victims were transported to local hospitals, officials said. At least three were listed in serious condition. “The one person they pulled out had their clothes burned off pretty bad,” Maldonado said.
