A massive gas explosion early Thursday morning leveled multiple homes in Ashland, California, injuring six people, three of them seriously. The blast occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m. when a construction crew widening sidewalks on East Lewelling Boulevard accidentally struck a PG&E gas line.

PG&E crews acted quickly to isolate the damaged line by 9:25 a.m., but the explosion hit just minutes earlier, gutting three structures and igniting a three-alarm fire. Firefighters worked intensively to control the blaze and prevent further damage to surrounding homes. Remarkably, no fatalities were reported, with neighbors crediting the utility’s rapid gas shutoff for preventing a greater loss of life.

Emergency responders treated the injured on site and transported three critically wounded individuals to nearby hospitals. Local authorities and PG&E have initiated investigations into the incident, while Cal/OSHA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are probing the rupture, marked line protocols, and the timeline of the emergency response.

The incident highlights ongoing safety challenges surrounding gas infrastructure in California, emphasizing the importance of vigilant construction practices, rapid emergency response, and robust utility oversight. While residents are counting themselves fortunate to have survived, officials have called for heightened precautions and thorough investigations to prevent similar disasters in the future.