LOS ANGELES _ A gas company worker was killed and 15 people were hurt in a large explosion that rocked a California neighborhood Monday.
The blast occurred at a home in the Riverside County city of Murrieta shortly after noon.
Southern California Gas Co. responded to reports of a natural gas line that was damaged by a contractor working on the home Monday morning. The explosion occurred at 12:10 p.m., after crews had arrived. The company said one of its employees was killed and another was taken to a hospital. The whereabouts of one resident of the home was unknown. According to a neighbor, the house was up for sale.
Rattled residents posted reactions on Twitter, saying the blast shook homes in the area.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of today's incident which took the life of one of our employees, injured firefighters, and impacted others. Our employee was responding to reports of a damaged gas line at the home. Our focus now is on working with first responders to make the area safe, and supporting all those involved," Southern California Gas Co. said in a statement. "We will continue to work with first responders to determine what caused the accident. Our sympathies and thoughts are with the individuals and families of those impacted."
One video shows smoke covering a neighborhood on Clinton Keith Road as firefighters try to extinguish cascading flames that appear to encompass a corner home. At least three firetrucks are seen outside the house in the video.
Both the Murrieta Police Department and the Murrieta Fire Department responded to the scene. Southern California Gas, the primary gas provider for Southern California, stopped the flow of gas to the property at 1 p.m.
"It's an active scene," said Robin Godfrey, Murrieta's public information officer.
A milelong stretch between Nutmeg Road and Smith Ranch was closed as police and firefighters tended to the scene. Neighbors had been told to keep a distance as the area remained dangerous.
