Chatroom reporting 1 fatality "incineration death"--praying for anyone else in that hell! :*(
Posted on 09/09/2010 7:00:04 PM PDT by rdl6989
It just happened. Not much info on it yet.
**URGENT** KGO-TV: Reported "explosion" near San Francisco grows to 6-alarm fire. http://twitter.com/USABreakingNews
Thanks. It’s probably just a terrible accident, or I hope as much.
The fire is very large. At least 8 people are injured. It would be a miracle if no one died. It was caused by a pipeline explosion.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/san-bruno-fire-2.html
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/fire-chief-gas-line-610666.html
If true, not good. I have a bad feeling this will be a mass casualty event.
Could you tell us where it’s been confirmed it was a gas explosion?
I’m having trouble figuring out after 2 1/2 hours, no one has come forward to confirm that.
Yep those images do not go away and frankly I don’t want them to. They are always in the back of your mind...this crisis reminds me of then though we aren’t seeing the people...very sad event and I fear the deaths as was mentioned most people in their homes when it blew. Am encouraged those who are safe though...
According to CBS 5, “a huge explosion happened in the San Bruno area and huge flames can be seen...the flames are near Crestmore and San Ramon Avenues.” The fire has torched multiple homes; an entire neighborhood is on fire. A least halk a dozen homes are ablaze.
Mike MCCarron, SFO spokesman, says there are no planes unaccounted for from SFO, but CBS 5 says it’s a plane crash, though it has yet to be confirmed. KTVU says it’s a possible gas station fire.
Update 6:45:: People online confirm that the fire started out as a long, roaring sound, then an explosion, which sound like it could have very well been a plane crash. Whatever started this horrific blaze, something is fueling it. The blaze is roaring out of control.
6:50: KTVU reports, “FAA says they do not believe this was the result of a plane crash.”
6:58: Highway 280 to Highway 35 N. is closed. The fire, centered around San Bruno Avenue and Skyline Blvd., has prompted the evacuation of the area. CBS 5 says, “ Many residents have reported seeing a plane go down. Others felt a huge shock wave, and heard an explosion. “
7:00 The flame are enormous, dwarfing the homes.
7:04: SFO spokesman tells KTVU there’s “no record of any plane going down anywhere in northern CA.”
7:05: Highways 30 and 85 are closed. Six patients are in critical condition at Kaiser in South SF.
7:09:
Another view of the San Bruno fire. (Photo by osxdude)
7:11: PG&E are “looking into it:” and “don’t know” what’s going on, exactly. About an hour ago, the fire started after a “massive explosion.” The fire has yet to subside.
7:14: The flames coming from the fire, according to CBS 5, appear to stem from natural gas. PG&E says they cannot confirm if it’s a PG&E line.
Another view of the fire. (Photo by by tomobiki)
7:21: KTVU is quoting a source within PG&E as saying that the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire was indeed a break in a natural gas line. Describing the source as “very reliable,” they quote him or her as saying that the broken line is line number 132, a large (16-24 inches) pipe. They do not know when they will be able to repair it.
7:26: “There is no fighting this fire. It is unbelievable,” says one reports. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” We concur. It’s just one large fireball shooting from the ground.
7:28: @edog1203 “Riding Caltrain, just passed huge fire in San Bruno. Giant fireball plumes. Terrifying.”
7:31: The size of the flames have subsided a bit, but only a bit. No word yet on number of casualties.
7:36: @TheFireTracker2: “If you are in the area please stay off your cell phones so public safety has access.”
Photo by RodrigoBNO
7:41: So far, 12 homes have been confirmed burned down. But, alas, from what we’re seeing, it looks like a heck of a lot more.
7:45: To reiterate, this is a high-pressure gas fire, not a downed aircraft. Personnel are asking the public to please stay out of the area. An entire neighborhood is on fire.
7:50: The explosion has been pinpointed at Sequoia Avenue and Sneath Lane. The fire has subsided, but it will take until tomorrow morning (at least) to extinguish the flames.
As seen from San Francisco (Photo by twinpeaks_sf)
8:10: Other sources: “Blaze is jumping from house to house.” - SFGate.
“Firefighters from San Bruno and surrounding cities are battling the blaze that started on a hillside and is now consuming homes in a residential neighborhood.” - Mercury News.
“Fire retardant dropping planes from CalFire have been brought in to douse some of the flames. Authorities have not yet released information about injuries or possible fatalities from the explosion.” - The Weather Space
“Firefighters throughout the Bay Area including 50 from Alameda County have been asked to provide mutual aid for the San Bruno fire and explosion.” - California Beat
“All flights and operations [at SFO] were normal Thursday evening.” - CNN
8:19: Fire crews report looters in evacuated areas.
8:20: Many casualties, according to CBS 5, with reports of 911 calls of people trapped inside their houses.
8:23: Shelter and food will be provided for people who cannot make it home tonight at the Veterans Rec Center at 251 City Park Way in San Bruno.
8:30: Looking to help? According to CBS 5, the Red Cross is asking for O negative blood, but any kind of blood won’t be turned away. Visit Blood Centers of the Pacific for donation locations. You can also call the American Red Cross at 1-888-443-5722 for more information. Note: Blood Center of the Pacific urges people to come in to donate blood tomorrow morning when they will, presumably, run out of blood.
Photo by Paul Sakuma / AP
8:39: FBI has moved into the area. “Joint terrorism taskforce,” screams the jacket of one agent.
8:40: If you have a loved one in the area, you can call the San Bruno Emergency Hotline at 650-616-7180. Please do NOT tie up the line.
8:42: Hundreds of people already seeking help at Red Cross shelter in San Bruno. Teams are arriving with cots, food and water. Also: @RedCrossBayArea: “Evacuation Center open @ Bay Hill Shopping Center at San Bruno Ave and Cherry Street. Red Cross volunteers on scene to help.”
Look at post 245 I made.
My aunt lives in South too, looks like she is a couple of miles away from this though.
I remember 9/11 very well and those images do not go away and never will.
So the Joint Terrorism task force, comes to gas explosions?
bttt
Yup. Probably standard procedure for anything like it.
Thanks for this info. Prayers up.
Proud of the helpers and this effort to help people...Americans are the very best!
youtube videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFYWJuvKrq4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F99oEsDZxYQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0wdNxDxLF4
Thanks pillut....photos say allot...huge plume of flame!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.