Experts say PG&E, authorities should have evacuated before Hayward gas explosion

"Two hours after a road crew accidentally struck a natural gas line in the unincorporated Ashland neighborhood near Hayward earlier this month, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. had finally stopped the leak. Road workers had left the immediate area, but no official evacuation orders had been issued, despite the possibility that a dangerous amount of highly combustible gas remained trapped in nearby homes. Minutes later, a violent explosion erupted, obliterating multiple homes and injuring six people, sending three to the hospital."

"Robert Hall, a recently retired director of pipeline investigations for the National Transportation Safety Board, faulted the utility for failing to stop the leak more quickly. He said that even after PG&E shut off the release, utility crews and local fire officials, who also responded to the damaged pipeline, should have been aware that gas could have remained trapped underground or inside structures. I do believe they should have been getting people out of the homes for safety's sake, said Hall, who has overseen past federal investigations into PG&E."

"PG&E and the Alameda County Fire Department have said they make evacuation decisions collaboratively on a case-by-case basis, and that further investigation is needed to answer whether residents should have been told to leave. Both the utility and the fire department declined to answer additional questions from the Bay Area News Group about their response to the leak. In a brief statement to this news organization, PG&E offered thoughts and prayers to all who have been affected by this incident."

Road workers accidentally struck a natural gas pipeline in the unincorporated Ashland neighborhood near Hayward. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. stopped the leak about two hours later and road crews left the area. No official evacuation orders were issued despite the risk that highly combustible gas could remain trapped in nearby homes. Minutes after crews departed, an explosion destroyed multiple homes and injured six people, sending three to the hospital. A former NTSB pipeline director and other experts criticized the response for not evacuating residents sooner. PG&E and the Alameda County Fire Department say evacuation decisions are made collaboratively and investigations are ongoing.

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