Gas blast kills four
Firefighters battled a blaze covering 10 acres of suburban California after a suspected gas leak killed at least four people and destroyed more than 50 houses near San Francisco yesterday.
The explosion was heard for miles and shot a fireball more than 1,000ft in the air, sending frightened residents fleeing for safety and rushing to get belongings out of burning homes.
Officials said it appeared a 30in gas main had ruptured nearby. The blast left a giant crater and sent flames tearing across several suburban blocks in San Bruno. Coroner Michelle Rippy said officials at the scene confirmed at least four deaths. At least 20 others were injured, some with critical burns.