A SoCal Gas Employee was killed in the blast and three Murrieta Fire Fighters were injured. Witnesses describe the scene as chaotic

Murrieta, CA - An active investigation is taking place after a gas explosion leaves one utility worker dead, three fire fighters injured and 12 others injured in a quiet residential neighborhood Monday afternoon.

Cherish Robinson along with her brother Murray Robinson and their mother described the scene moments after the blast rocked their home. “Well, I was asleep and I woke up to a loud boom, my windows were rattling and I heard my brother and sister screaming. I thought it was just another earthquake and went to lay down for 20 seconds when I heard everyone outside yelling and screaming for help,” said Cherish.

“People were yelling grab towels so I ran inside and grabbed towels and called 911. They were trying to stop the bleeding of a man who had really bad burn marks to his head area and it was really chaotic.”

Cherish said the fire didn't start immediately after the explosion.
According to Murray Robinson, people who worked for a solar company were limping and crawling out of the smoked filled scene along with a fire fighter who also seemed disheveled. Their description of the injuries were gruesome. Residents were being offered counseling by the Red Cross that set up a shelter at Vista Murrieta High School.
Cherish and Murray both said a few people got burns on their feet trying to help the injured because the ground was so hot.

Deputy Chief of Murrieta Fire and Rescue, David Lantzer said at a press event, fire crews initially responded to the home in the 23500 block of Wooden Horse Trail at 10:57 a.m. due to a reported gas leak. Southern California  Gas Co employees arrived to repair the ruptured gas line around 11:23 a.m. but at 12:10 p.m the blast occurred blowing the roof off the house.

The gas line was fractured according to a SoCal Gas employee by a contractor working on the property.
Lantzer at 6:30 p.m. said the fire department was continuing to work on the assessing the damage, investigating the cause of the explosion as well as determining when residents could return home after they were evacuated.

A SoCal Gas representative said they have no record of the contractor working at the home calling 811. The gas company offers a free service anyone can use to determine where all utilities are located on a property. All they have to do is call 811. It is the law according to SoCal to have the gas lines marked prior to digging.

SoCal Gas Public Information Officer Randon Lane who is also a city council member for Murrieta said the explosion could have been avoided if the contractor called 811.
“We encourage anyone wanting to plant a garden, any kind of digging to call us and we will come out free of charge and mark where all your utilities are located,” said Lane.

The Murrieta Police Department reported that Clinton Keith Road was open in both directions at 8:00 p.m. Monday. Some mandatory evacuations were still in affect and if you don’t live in the area to please avoid the neighborhood so the emergency crews can conduct their investigation. People can call the dispatch center to learn more information including having a police escort to their home. The number is 951-695-3615.