HAYWARD, Calif. (KGO) — At least six people were injured Thursday in a Hayward building explosion caused by a ruptured gas line.
Residents described a chaotic scene as two women, both in pajamas, walked out of the building with severe injuries. Neighbors and paramedics rushed to their aid.
“The younger girl had blood all over her face. She was in complete shock. I think her arm might have been dislocated because it was in an awkward position,” said local resident Oscar Vazquez. “They looked stunned, and I think the explosion may have damaged their eardrums because they weren’t hearing people trying to talk to them.”
Vazquez said the women, including an older woman, walked slowly away from the debris while neighbors helped guide them to safety.
Paramedics confirmed six people were transported to nearby hospitals. Alameda County Fire Deputy Chief Ryan Nishimoto said three were considered serious cases, while three had minor injuries.
Eden Hospital reported that one of the seriously injured patients remains in their care, while the other two were transferred to other facilities.
At the scene, sheriff’s deputies evacuated the blast zone to ensure safety.
“When they arrived, deputies immediately identified the hazardous area and began moving people to safety. They also organized transport to hospitals,” said Roberto Morales, public information officer for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
Urban Search and Rescue teams initially searched for two individuals believed to be missing. Rudy Valencia of the Berkeley Fire Department said the crews were focusing on locating any signs of life.
Several hours later, Alameda County Fire confirmed that both missing individuals had been found.
