View source for San Bruno pipeline explosion

{{short description|2010 natural gas pipeline explosion which killed 8 people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox news event
| image       = [[File:Pipe-from-Sanbruno-explosion.jpg|250px]]
| caption     = Remains of a portion of the natural gas pipeline after the explosion
| date        = {{start date|2010|9|9}}
| time        = 18:11 [[UTC−07:00|UTC-7]]
| place       = [[San Bruno, California|San Bruno]], California<br>United States
|coordinates  = {{coord|37|37|21|N|122|26|31|W|region:US-CA_type:event|display=title,inline}}
| casualties1 = '''Fatalities:''' 8<ref name="8th_victim_of_PGE_blast_dies">{{Cite news |title=Eighth victim of PG&E blast dies |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/28/BAIQ1FKVE5.DTL&type=health |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 28, 2010 |accessdate=September 28, 2010 |first=Justin |last=Berton}}</ref><ref name="latimes7dead6missing">{{Cite news |title=San Bruno explosion death toll climbs to seven; six are missing |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0912-san-bruno-explosion-20100912,0,251794.story |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 12, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=John |last1=Hoeffel |first2=Molly |last2=Hennessy-Fiske |first3=Christopher |last3=Goffard |authorlink1=Christopher Goffard|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912125130/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0912-san-bruno-explosion-20100912%2C0%2C251794.story |archivedate=September 12, 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
|casualties2 = '''Injured:''' 58<ref name="APinjury">{{Cite news |first=Lisa |last=Leff |author2= Garrance Burke |title=San Bruno Explosion: Residents Wait To Move Back To Burned Neighborhood |date=September 11, 2010 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/11/san-bruno-explosion-resid_n_713330.html |work=The Huffington Post |accessdate =September 12, 2010}}</ref>
|notes=
}}

The '''San Bruno pipeline explosion''' occurred at 6:11&nbsp;pm [[Pacific Time Zone|PDT]] on September 9, 2010, in [[San Bruno, California]], when a {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter steel [[natural gas pipeline]] owned by [[Pacific Gas & Electric]] exploded into flames in the Crestmoor residential neighborhood {{convert|2|mi|km}} west of [[San Francisco International Airport]]<ref name="Crews Battling">{{Cite news
| url=  http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-breaker-sanbrunohome,0,5805604.story
| title=  California Crews Battling Massive Fire After Large Explosion
| agency=  Associated Press |publisher=[[KTXL]]
| date=  September 9, 2010
| accessdate=September 9, 2010}}</ref> near [[California State Route 35|Skyline Boulevard]] and San Bruno Avenue.<ref name="Kevin Fagan">{{Cite news
| last=  Fagan
| first=  Kevin
| url=  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/09/BADP1FBJRS.DTL&tsp=1
| title=  Huge blast in San Bruno; neighborhood on fire
| newspaper=  [[San Francisco Chronicle]]
| date=  September 9, 2010
| accessdate=  September 9, 2010
| archiveurl=  https://web.archive.org/web/20100911222436/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F09%2FBADP1FBJRS.DTL&tsp=1
| archivedate=  September 11, 2010
| url-status=  live
| df=  mdy-all
}}</ref>
The loud roar and shaking led some residents of the area, first responders, and news media to initially believe that it was an earthquake or that a large airplane had crashed. It took crews nearly an hour to determine it was a gas pipeline explosion.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/first-calls-from-san-bruno-disaster-11636517 "First Calls From San Bruno Disaster"]. ABC News (September 14, 2010). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>
As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.<ref name="Death toll climbs to eight">{{Cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16196672 |author=Melvin, Joshua
|title=Death toll in San Bruno pipeline explosion climbs to eight |work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=October 28, 2010 |accessdate=October 29, 2010}}</ref> The [[United States Geological Survey]] registered the explosion and resulting [[shock wave]] as a magnitude 1.1 earthquake.<ref name="USGS">{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/nc71453305.html |title=Magnitude 1.1 – San Francisco Bay Area, California |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |accessdate=September 11, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913063654/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/nc71453305.html |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqscanv/FaultMaps/122-38.html |title=California-Nevada Fault Map centered at 38°N,122°W |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |accessdate=September 11, 2010}}</ref> Eyewitnesses reported the initial blast "shot a fireball more than {{convert|1000|ft}} in the air".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Housley |first1=Adam |title=Feds Begin Probe of Deadly Gas Explosion Near San Francisco |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/feds-begin-probe-of-deadly-gas-explosion-near-san-francisco |accessdate=7 September 2020 |work=Fox News |date=25 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=California Gas Explosion |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/california-gas-explosion/10/ |website=www.cbsnews.com |accessdate=7 September 2020 |language=en |quote=A massive fire roars through a mostly residential neighborhood in San Bruno, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010. A massive fire burned homes as it roared through a mostly residential neighborhood in the hills south of San Francisco following a loud explosion Thursday evening that shot a fireball more than 1,000 feet into the air and sent frightened residents fleeing for safety, witnesses said. Gas Blast Engulfs Neighborhood in Flames. CREDIT: AP Photo/Paul Sakuma}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=At least 4 killed, 50 injured in CA explosion, fire |url=https://abc7news.com/archive/7659758/ |accessdate=7 September 2020 |work=ABC7 San Francisco |date=10 September 2010 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Flames roar through houses after blast |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2010/09/09/flames-roar-through-houses-after-blast/ |accessdate=7 September 2020 |work=San Bernardino Sun |date=9 September 2010}}</ref>

==Explosion and fire==
At 6:11&nbsp;pm PDT on September 9, 2010, a huge explosion occurred in the Crestmoor residential neighborhood of San Bruno, near Skyline Boulevard and San Bruno Avenue.<ref name="USGS"/> This caused a fire, which quickly engulfed nearby houses. Emergency responders from San Bruno and nearby cities soon arrived at the scene and evacuated surrounding neighborhoods. Strong winds fanned the flames, hampering fire fighting efforts.<ref name="Robert J. Lopez">{{cite news
| last=  Lopez
| first=  Robert
| url=  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/strong-winds-fanning-huge-san-bruno-fire.html
| title=  Strong winds fanning huge San Bruno fire
| newspaper=  [[Los Angeles Times]]
| date=  September 9, 2010
| accessdate=September 9, 2010 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913115449/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/strong-winds-fanning-huge-san-bruno-fire.html |archivedate= September 13, 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> The blaze was fed by a ruptured gas pipe, and large clouds of smoke soared into the sky. It took 60 to 90 minutes to shut off the gas after the explosion, according to San Bruno Fire Chief Dennis Haag.<ref name="mercsearchends" /> The explosion and resulting fire leveled either 35 or 37 houses and damaged at least 8 more,<ref name="mercsearchends" /> according to conflicting sources. Three of the damaged houses, deemed uninhabitable, were torn down the following December.<ref name="Mercury News">{{Cite news |title=Number of homes destroyed in San Bruno explosion now at 38 |last=Melvin |first=Joshua |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/12/17/number-of-homes-destroyed-in-san-bruno-explosion-now-at-38/ |accessdate=June 15, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Mercury News]] }}</ref> About 200 firefighters battled the [[Multiple-alarm fire|eight alarm fire]] that resulted from the explosions.<ref name="sf chron">{{Cite news |title=San Bruno explosion: Some victims identified |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/10/BAVQ1FBPMD.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=John |last1=Wildermuth |first2=Kevin |last2=Fagan |first3=Marisa |last3=Lagos |first4=Jaxon |last4=Van Derbeken |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913045033/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F10%2FBAVQ1FBPMD.DTL |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="mercurynews">{{Cite news |last=Gomez |first=Mark |title=San Bruno explosion, fire neighborhood now a crime scene |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16041191?source=rss |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> The explosion excavated an asymmetric [[explosion crater|crater]] {{convert|167|ft|m}} long, {{convert|26|ft|m}} wide<ref name="mercremainsfound">{{Cite news |author1=Rodgers, Paul |author2=Rosenberg, Mike |author3=Gonzales, Neil |title=More remains found in San Bruno fire; PG&E checking major pipelines for flaws |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16051111?source=most_emailed&nclick_check=1 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 12, 2010}}</ref> and {{convert|40|ft|m}} deep along the sidewalk of Glenview Drive in front of 1701 Earl Avenue (a corner house), but many of the destroyed homes were eastward in the 1600 block of Claremont Drive.<ref name="mercsearchends">{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |title=Search for bodies in deadly San Bruno PG&E gas line explosion ends |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_16045798?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com |accessdate=September 11, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 11, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Crestmoor immolated, San Bruno gas explosion.ogv|thumb|right|The neighborhood continued to burn into the night even after the exploding gas main had been shut off]]
The fire continued to burn for several hours after the initial explosion. The explosion compromised a water main and required firefighters to truck in water from outside sources. Firefighters were assisted by residents who dragged fire hoses nearly {{convert|4000|ft|m}} to working hydrants.<ref>[http://www.kron.com/News/ArticleView/tabid/298/smid/1126/ArticleID/6882/reftab/401/t/First%2BResponders%2BSay%2BThey%2BThought%2BSan%2BBruno%2BGas%2BLine%2BExplosion%2Bwas%2Ba%2BPlane%2BCrash/Default.aspx Governor Tours San Bruno Gas Line Explosion Site]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> Ordinary citizens drove injured people and burn victims to the hospital. Mutual aid responded from all over the Bay Area, including the [[California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection]] who sent 25 fire engines, four airtankers, two air attack planes, and one helicopter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://calfire.blogspot.com/2010/09/ca-czu-san-bruno-wui-fire-gas-line.html|title=CA-CZU-San Bruno – MCI – 6 dead, Gas line explosion, WUI Fire 10 acres, possibly 30 homes burning|date=September 9, 2010|work=California Fire News (blog)|accessdate=November 4, 2011}}</ref>
The fire was only fifty percent contained by 10&nbsp;pm PDT and continued to burn until about 11:40&nbsp;am PDT the next day.<ref name="californiafirescenemoonscape">{{Cite news |title=California fire scene: 'Like a moonscape' |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-10/us/california.fire_1_abel-maldonado-smoke-inhalation-local-fire-officials/2?_s=PM:US |publisher=CNN |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913175929/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-10/us/california.fire_1_abel-maldonado-smoke-inhalation-local-fire-officials/2?_s=PM%3AUS |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref name="firefullycontained">{{Cite news |title=Deadly California fire fully contained |url=http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/10/huge-california-gas-fire-75-percent-contained/ |publisher=CNN |date=September 10, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913010911/http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/10/huge-california-gas-fire-75-percent-contained/ |archive-date= September 13, 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

As of September 29, 2010, the death toll was eight people.<ref name="Death toll climbs to eight"/> Among the eight deaths was 20-year-old Jessica Morales, who was with her boyfriend, Joseph Ruigomez, at the epicenter of the fire (his home) on the corner of Earl Ave. Despite his proximity to the epicenter of the fire, Ruigomez survived but spent nearly five months recovering in the [[Saint Francis Memorial Hospital]] Burn Center. Two other people at the Claremont address close to the explosion were among those killed: Jacqueline Greig, 44, and her daughter Janessa Greig, 13. Greig worked for the [[California Public Utilities Commission]] (CPUC), in a small unit that advocates for consumer rights pertaining to natural gas regulations. She had spent part of the summer evaluating PG&E's expansion plans and investment proposals to replace out-of-date pipelines.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/11/apnewsbreak-calif-federal-regulators-say-gas-pipeline-deadly-blast-ranked-high |work=Fox News |title=Federal regulators say California gas pipeline in deadly blast was ranked high risk |date=September 11, 2010 |accessdate=September 16, 2010 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.kqed.org/a/kqednews/R201009151204/b Riskiest Gas Lines in the Bay Area Are in the East Bay: KQED News |KQED Public Media for Northern CA]. Kqed.org (September 15, 2010). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref> Also killed in the blast were Elizabeth Torres, 81,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-14 |title=Coroner IDs 4th Victim Of San Bruno Explosion - CBS San Francisco |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/coroner-ids-4th-victim-of-san-bruno-explosion/ |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Lavonne Bullis, 82, Greg Bullis, 50, and Will Bullis, 17.<ref>Preuitt, Lori. (September 12, 2010) [http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Returning-Home-in-San-Bruno-102726149.html Returning Home in San Bruno]. [[KNTV]]. Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>

<gallery widths="450" heights="200">
File:SanBrunoFireNight.jpg|View of the fire on Sep. 9, 2010 at 11:31&nbsp;pm PDT
File:Devastation in San Bruno.jpg|Destruction after fire and explosion in San Bruno
</gallery>

==Response==

===San Bruno===
A [[Red Cross]] shelter was set up at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in San Bruno,<ref name="shelter">[http://cbs5.com/local/Red.Cross.Emergency.2.1905507.html Red Cross Opens San Bruno Fire Shelter, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032042/http://cbs5.com/local/Red.Cross.Emergency.2.1905507.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 23:55 UTC−07.</ref> and the [[Blood Centers of the Pacific]] issued an emergency appeal for blood donations.<ref name="blood">[http://cbs5.com/health/Blood.Donations.San.2.1905511.html Blood Donations Needed Due To San Bruno Fire, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913032030/http://cbs5.com/health/Blood.Donations.San.2.1905511.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 22:22 UTC−07.</ref> Some people were evacuated to [[The Shops at Tanforan|Tanforan]] and Bayhill Shopping Centers.<ref name="washingtonexaminer909">{{Cite news |author1=Worth, Katie |author2=Koskey, Andrea |title=Deadly fire rips San Bruno neighborhood |url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/breaking/Large-explosion-flames-in-San-Bruno-102590834.html |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[Washington Examiner]] |date=September 12, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="mercpoliticansrace">{{Cite news |title=The Insider: Politicians race to San Bruno |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16045919 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=September 11, 2010}}</ref> All elementary schools in the [[San Bruno Park Elementary School District]], as well as Parkside Junior High, were closed on September 10. However, [[Capuchino High School]] remained open.<ref name="school">[http://cbs5.com/local/Road.Closures.San.2.1905500.html School, Road Closures Due To San Bruno Fire, CBS5] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913041058/http://cbs5.com/local/Road.Closures.San.2.1905500.html |date=September 13, 2010 }}, September 9, 2010 23:55 UTC−07.</ref> Some residents who were evacuated from their homes were allowed to return to those undamaged on Sunday, September 12.<ref name="sanbrunoallowedtoreturn">{{Cite news |author1=Wildermuth, John |author2=Bulwa, Demian |title=Some displace San Bruno residents will return home today |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/12/BAEP1FCNS9.DTL |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 12, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913151037/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F12%2FBAEP1FCNS9.DTL |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Pacific Gas and Electric Company===
The [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]] (PG&E) is the owner of the pipeline. On September 10, 2010, PG&E's president, Christopher Johns, said the company was not able to approach the source of the explosion to investigate the cause.<ref name="New York Times"/> An official press release issued by PG&E on September 10 reported the pipe was a {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on}} steel transmission line.<ref name="PG&E press release">{{Cite news
| url=  http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/newsreleases/20100910/pge_continues_response_efforts_at_scene_of_san_bruno_fire.shtml
| title=  PG&E Continues Response Efforts at Scene of San Bruno Fire
| publisher=  [[PG&E]]
| date=  September 10, 2010
| accessdate=September 10, 2010 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913024328/http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/newsreleases/20100910/pge_continues_response_efforts_at_scene_of_san_bruno_fire.shtml |archivedate= September 13, 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref>
Shares of PG&E stock fell eight percent on the Friday after the explosion,<ref name='PG&Estock'>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=PG&E shares fall after explosion in California |date=September 11, 2010 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glGKHtuQjtgYVWsts_t24Scis6mwD9I5ASOG0 |access-date =September 12, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913051203/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glGKHtuQjtgYVWsts_t24Scis6mwD9I5ASOG0 |archive-date= September 13, 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref> reducing the company's market capitalization by $1.57&nbsp;billion.<ref name="PG&Estock"/>

PG&E also reduced their operating pressures by 20 percent after investigations revealed the pipeline may have been improperly installed.<ref name="latimes-dearan">{{cite news |title=Report by federal investigators on California pipeline blast finds defects in welds |author=Jason Dearen |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-pipeline-explosion,0,5975881.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001084051/http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-us-pipeline-explosion,0,5975881.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2010 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 21, 2011 |accessdate=January 25, 2011}}</ref>

After the San Bruno pipeline failure, PG&E was required to re-evaluate how it determines the maximum operating pressure for some 1,800 miles of pipeline throughout its system. Specifically, the CPUC asked PG&E officials to show their lines had been tested or examined in a way that could prove the pipeline can withstand the current maximum operating pressure. At the March 15, 2011 deadline for this report, PG&E was unable to provide documentation for details of some of its gas transmission pipelines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/03/pge-threatened-fines-1-million-pipeline-data|title=PG&E threatened with fines of $1 million for pipeline data|author=Katie Worth|newspaper=The Examiner|date=March 16, 2011|accessdate=November 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515150525/http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/03/pge-threatened-fines-1-million-pipeline-data|archivedate=May 15, 2013}}</ref>

In response to the disaster and a subsequent decision (D.11-06-017) by the CPUC, PG&E unveiled a plan in August 2011 to modernize and enhance safety of its gas transmission operations over several years, including automation of over 200 valves, strength-testing over {{Convert|700|mi}} of pipe, replacing {{Convert|185|mi}}, and upgrading another {{Convert|200|mi}} or so to allow in-line inspection.<ref name=milestoneplan>{{cite web|url=http://www.pgecurrents.com/2011/08/26/pge-files-milestone-plan-to-modernize-improve-safety-of-gas-pipeline-system/|title=PG&E Files Milestone Plan to Modernize, Improve Safety of Gas Pipeline System|publisher=PG&E|accessdate=October 2, 2011}}</ref> The plan was divided into two phases. The first phase, scheduled to end in 2014, targeted pipeline segments in urban areas, those not built to modern standards, and those that had not been strength-tested. Project funding of $769&nbsp;million was the subject of a PG&E application (R.11-02-019) for a three-year increase in gas rates starting January 2012.<ref name=filingnotice>"Notification of filing of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Gas Transmission Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan", brochure dated September 2011</ref>

On November 6, 2011, an explosion occurred near Woodside, California during strength testing of PG&E pipelines. The explosion caused a mudslide in the area; however, no casualties were reported.<ref>[https://abc30.com/archive/8421049/ Mud from gas line explosion closes lanes on Bay Area Freeway |abc30.com]. Abclocal.go.com. Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>

===California state government===
Lieutenant Governor [[Abel Maldonado]] made a state of emergency declaration and signed an executive order to provide aid to victims.<ref name="mercurynews"/>
State regulators ordered PG&E to survey all natural gas lines the company controls in California.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Residents return home after Calif pipeline blowout |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/09/national/a184753D77.DTL |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 12, 2010 |accessdate=September 12, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913153428/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F09%2Fnational%2Fa184753D77.DTL |archivedate=September 13, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] visited the site several days later, after returning from a trade mission in Asia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/13/national/a153359D19.DTL |title=Schwarzenegger tours Calif. gas line blast site |date=September 15, 2010 |accessdate=September 15, 2010 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916193656/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F13%2Fnational%2Fa153359D19.DTL |archivedate=September 16, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===Federal government===
U.S. Rep. [[Jackie Speier]] called the devastation "a very serious crisis" and was asking [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) to declare it a national disaster area.<ref name="mercurynews"/>

===Use of technology===
The San Bruno explosion was notable for the fact that local technology companies such as [[Cisco Systems]] and [[Google]] dispatched their emergency response teams to provide emergency communications and enhanced mapping information at the request of responders at the scene. Coordinated through the nonprofit [[InSTEDD]] (Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases, and Disasters), with support from the Carnegie Mellon University Disaster Management Initiative, a number of unaffiliated technology volunteers were requested to support many of the [[GIS]] (Geographic Information Systems) response efforts, coordinated through the Planning Section Chief.<ref name="carnegie-mellon">{{cite web |title=San Bruno Fire Technical Debrief |url=http://www.cmu.edu/silicon-valley/dmi/files/sanbruno-tech-debrief.pdf |publisher=Carnegie-Mellon University Disaster Management Initiative |date=November 5, 2010 |accessdate=February 8, 2011}}</ref>

==Investigation==
San Bruno Police declared the area a crime scene to determine if foul play was involved.<ref name="mercurynews"/>{{update inline|date=September 2018}} The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) began an investigation into the cause of the explosion.<ref name="SF Chronicle">{{Cite news |last= Lowy
|first= Joan |title=NTSB to investigate explosion, fire in Calif. |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/09/10/national/w054841D33.DTL |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> During the days prior to the explosion, some residents reported smelling natural gas in the area.<ref name="New York Times">{{Cite news |title=Inquiry Sifting Cause of Blast in the Bay Area |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/us/11fire.html?src=me |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 10, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |first1=Adam |last1=Nagourney |first2=Malia |last2=Wollan}}</ref><ref name="ABC7 News">{{Cite news |title=Natural gas explosion rocks San Bruno; 4 dead |url=https://abc7news.com/archive/7660103/ |publisher=[[KGO-TV]] News |date=September 10, 2010 |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911063743/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Fpeninsula&id=7660103 |archive-date=September 11, 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref> A source within PG&E reported a break in natural gas line number 132 caused the explosion. At the time of the explosion, the pressure within that part of the pipeline was {{convert|386|-|386.4|psi|MPa|abbr=on|lk=on}}. Although this was {{convert|11|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} greater than PG&E's maximum rated operating pressure for that section of the pipeline, it was still {{convert|14|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} below PG&E's specified maximum allowable rating of {{convert|400|psi|MPa|abbr=on}}.<ref>National Transportation Safety Board, ''Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Rupture and Fire, San Bruno, California, September 9, 2010'', PAR1101</ref> The gas line is a large {{convert|30|in|cm|adj=on}} steel pipe.<ref name="Kevin Fagan" /><ref name="hillside inferno">{{cite news
| url= http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_16036178
|author1=Gonzales, Sandra |author2=Rosenberg, Mike |author3=Dungan, Jesse |author4=Samuels, Diana |title= Gas line explosion sparks hillside inferno in San Bruno
| newspaper= [[San Jose Mercury News]]
| date= September 9, 2010
| accessdate=September 9, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="engulfs homes">{{Cite news
| url= http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/09/09/california.fire/?hpt=T1#fbid=HqGRQsI8Yeu&wom=false
| title= Blaze engulfs homes in California neighborhood
| publisher= CNN
| date= September 10, 2010
| accessdate=September 10, 2010}}</ref> NTSB vice chairman [[Christopher A. Hart|Christopher Hart]] said at a briefing that the segment of pipe that blew out onto the street was {{convert|28|ft|m}} long, the explosion sent that piece of pipe about {{convert|100|ft|m}} and the blast created a crater {{convert|167|ft|m}} long and {{convert|26|ft|m}} wide, though the NTSB Pipeline Accident Report would later size the crater to be {{convert|72|ft|m}} long and {{convert|26|ft|m}} wide. He said that an inspection of the severed pipe chunk revealed that it was made of several smaller sections that had been welded together and that a seam ran its length. The presence of the welds did not necessarily indicate the pipe had been repaired, he said.<ref name="APinjury"/> Newer pipelines are usually manufactured into the shape needed for these applications, rather than having multiple weaker welded sections that could potentially leak or break.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/investigating-california-pipeline-blast-san-bruno-explosion-gas-11628459F "Investigating the California Pipeline Blast"] ABC News (September 13, 2010). Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref>

In January 2011, federal investigators reported that they found numerous defective welds in the pipeline. The thickness of the pipe varied, and some welds did not penetrate the pipes completely. As PG&E increased the pressure in the pipes to meet growing energy demand, the defective welds were further weakened until their failure. As the pipeline was installed in 1956, modern testing methods such as [[X-rays]] were not available to detect the problem at that time.<ref name="latimes-dearan"/>

The NTSB held a 3-day public hearing on March 1 through 3, 2011, to gather additional facts for the ongoing investigation of the pipeline rupture and explosion.<ref>[https://www.ntsb.gov/events/2011/San_Bruno_CA/default.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301233752/https://www.ntsb.gov/events/2011/San_Bruno_CA/default.htm|date=March 1, 2011}}</ref>

Parties to the public hearing included:
* [[Pacific Gas & Electric]]
* [[California Public Utilities Commission]] (CPUC)
* [[Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration]] (PHMSA)
* The City of San Bruno
* [[International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers]] Local 1245

The NTSB also published call logs from the Milpitas PG&E gas terminal to a gas control center. An [[uninterruptible power supply]] (UPS) replacement was started at the Milpitas terminal several hours before the San Bruno explosion.<ref>Parker, Marcia. (March 14, 2011) [http://milpitas.patch.com/articles/call-logs-of-milpitas-pge-terminal-before-san-bruno-explosion Call Logs from Milpitas PG&E Terminal Before San Bruno Explosion – Milpitas, CA Patch]. Milpitas.patch.com. Retrieved on November 8, 2011.</ref><!-- According to NTSB, technicians encountered electrical anomalies when they first started the replacement hardware, whereupon they shut the system down. After a restart it appeared to function normally. It is possible that the temporary malfunction caused a pressure surge in the pipeline, leading to catastrophic failure soon thereafter. (Need ref before making this information visible) -->

It was revealed that PG&E had done pipeline replacement work on Line 132 along parts of the San Andreas Fault zone, near this area, to reduce the likelihood of the pipeline failing from an earthquake. However, the replacement was stopped short of the area that failed in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Paul |title=New documents: PG&E could have replaced doomed line, but said its welds were of no risk to public |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17561367 |accessdate=October 14, 2014 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |date=March 8, 2011}}</ref>

On January 13, 2012, an independent audit from the State of California issued a report stating that PG&E had illegally diverted over $100&nbsp;million from a fund used for safety operations, and instead used it for executive compensation and bonuses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Naider |first=Eric |title=PG&E diverted safety money for profit, bonuses |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-E-diverted-safety-money-for-profit-bonuses-2500175.php |accessdate=November 11, 2012 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=January 13, 2012}}</ref>

==Litigation==
===Private party===
Through more than 20 law firms, over 100 plaintiffs have sued Pacific Gas and Electric and/or its parent, PG&E Corporation, in the [[Superior Courts of California]] in over 70 separate lawsuits. Virtually all were filed in the local state court, the Superior Court of California for the County of San Mateo. All the cases were consolidated and transferred to Judge Steven L. Dylina on March 4, 2011, and designated as Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding (JCCP) No. 4648, ''PG&E "San Bruno Fire" Cases''. On June 3, 2011, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated Master Complaint.

On July 5, 2011, PG&E's lawyers filed their Answer to the Master Complaint. A week later, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' ran a front-page story attacking the defendants for invoking certain routine defenses in their answer, like state-of-the-art and [[comparative negligence]].<ref>Jaxon Van Derbeken, [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/11/MNNG1K97E4.DTL&tsp=1 "In court, PG&E deflects blame for San Bruno blast"], ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', July 12, 2011, A1.</ref>

In July 2012, the plaintiffs lodged a deposition in San Mateo County Superior Court claiming that PG&E management ignored employee concerns about [[Geographic Information System|GIS]] data inaccuracies that impeded inspection of the pipeline.<ref>{{cite news |title=PG&E ignored gaps in data, engineer says |first=Jaxon |last=Van Derbeken |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |date=July 31, 2012 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/PG-E-ignored-gaps-in-data-engineer-says-3752181.php}}</ref>

In September 2013, PG&E settled the claims of 347 victims. PG&E had previously settled with 152 victims;&nbsp;the additional settlements brought the total payment to $565&nbsp;million for 499 victims. Two victims' lawsuits remained after the settlement,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/09/09/san-bruno-blast-pge-settles-nearly-all-remaining-lawsuits-for-a-565-million-total/ |title=San Bruno blast: PG&E settles nearly all remaining lawsuits for a $565 million total |date=September 9, 2013 |work=The Mercury News |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> but newspapers later reported the $565&nbsp;million figure as the final settlement for all victim claims.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Bob Egelko |url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Last-lawsuit-over-PG-E-San-Bruno-explosion-close-11090597.php <!-- https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Last-lawsuit-over-PG-E-San-Bruno-explosion-close-11090597.php --> |title=Last lawsuit over PG&E San Bruno explosion close to settlement |date=April 21, 2017 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Kevin Fagan |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/5-years-after-San-Bruno-blast-survivors-find-new-6487640.php |title=5 years after San Bruno blast, survivors find new life |date=September 5, 2015 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref> PG&E stated in its 2015 annual report that it had paid $558&nbsp;million in third-party claims, and $92&nbsp;million in legal costs, and received $515&nbsp;million from insurance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://investor.pgecorp.com/financials/annual-reports-and-proxy-statements/default.aspx |title=PG&E Corporation – Financials – Annual Reports and Proxy Statements |website=investor.pgecorp.com |access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>

===State of California===
In October 2012, public hearings on the San Bruno pipeline blast at the CPUC were suspended for state regulators and PG&E to strike a deal about the fines. Rene Morales, mother of Jessica Morales who was burned alive and one of eight people that was killed in the fire requested that California Governor Jerry Brown appoint a new president of the California PUC.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Penalty negotiations on, San Bruno public hearings off, judges order |first=Joshua |last=Melvin |date=October 11, 2012 |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county-times/ci_21752210/furor-growing-over-suspended-san-bruno-blast-hearings}}</ref> Also in October 2012, former Senator [[George J. Mitchell]] was chosen to lead talks in the settlement of fines in the explosion.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former Sen. George Mitchell tapped to settle PG&E fine for San Bruno explosion |first=Joshua |last=Melvin |date=October 15, 2012 |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21779037/former-sen-george-mitchell-tapped-settle-pg-e}}</ref> In December 2012 the CPUC decided that 55% of the long term costs for PG&E pipeline inspection and safety upgrades of $229&nbsp;million will be borne by electricity rate payers.<ref name=AP>{{cite news |last=Leff |first=Lisa |title=PG&E customers to foot part of pipe safety costs |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/pge-rates-increase-pay-pipeline-costs |accessdate=May 12, 2014 |newspaper=Associated Press |date=December 20, 2012}}</ref>

On September 16, 2014, the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' reported that Carol Brown, the chief of staff for the president of the CPUC, had communicated with PG&E executives to help move litigation to judges they expected would be friendly to PG&E's side.<ref name=sfgate-2014-09-16>{{cite news |last1=Van Derbeken |first1=Jaxon |title=Shakeup at PG&E, state agency over 'inappropriate' talks |url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Shakeup-at-PG-amp-E-state-agency-over-5757375.php |accessdate=September 16, 2014 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 16, 2014}}</ref> As of October 2014 the [[judge shopping]] scandal is under federal investigation.<ref name=sfgate-2014-10-06>{{cite news |last1=Van Derbeken |first1=Jaxon |title=Federal prosecutors probing PG&E-CPUC e-mails |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Federal-prosecutors-probing-PG-E-CPUC-e-mails-5804757.php |accessdate=October 6, 2014 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> In 2018, the CPUC fined PG&E $92.5&nbsp;million for improper communication with CPUC commissioners and staff.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/04/26/pge-to-pay-97-5-million-penalty-over-san-bruno-deadly-blast/ |title=PG&E To Pay $97.5 Million Penalty Over Deadly San Bruno Blast |date=April 26, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>

On April 9, 2015, the Public Utilities Commission fined PG&E $1.6&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27880159/san-bruno-pg-e-faces-record-penalty-punishment |title=PG&E slapped with record $1.6 billion penalty for fatal San Bruno explosion |newspaper=The Mercury News |date=April 9, 2015 |accessdate=January 18, 2016}}</ref>

===Federal===
On April 1, 2014, PG&E was indicted by a federal grand jury in [[United States District Court for the Northern District of California]] for multiple violations of the [[Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968]] relating to its record keeping and pipeline "integrity management" practices.<ref name=DOJ>{{cite press release |title=PG&E Charged with Multiple Violations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2014/2014_04_01_pge.charged.press.html |publisher=Department of Justice |accessdate=May 11, 2014 |date=April 1, 2014}}</ref> An additional indictment was issued by the grand jury on July 29, 2014, charging the company with [[obstruction of justice]] for lying to the NTSB regarding its pipeline testing policy, bringing the total number of counts in the indictment to 28.<ref name=sfgate-2014-07-29>{{cite news |last1=Van Derbeken |first1=Jaxon |title=PG&E accused of obstructing justice in San Bruno blast probe |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-amp-E-accused-of-obstructing-justice-in-San-5655355.php |accessdate=July 29, 2014 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> Under the new indictment, the company could be fined as much as $1.3&nbsp;billion, based on profit associated with the alleged misconduct, in addition to $2.5&nbsp;billion for state regulatory violations.<ref name=sfgate-2014-07-29/>

On January 21, 2017, PG&E was fined $3&nbsp;million and ordered to perform 10,000 hours of [[community service]] for criminal actions of violating the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act and for obstruction of justice. In addition, it must institute a compliance and ethics monitoring program and spend up to $3&nbsp;million to "publicize its criminal conduct". These actions were imposed after the company was found guilty by a federal jury in August 2016 of six of the twelve charges against the company in US District Court.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guilty Verdict for PG&E in 2010 San Bruno Pipeline Blast |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/40050-guilty-verdict-for-pge-in-2010-san-bruno-pipeline-blast |work=[[Engineering News-Record]] |date=August 15, 2016 |publisher=bnp media |issn=0891-9526}}</ref>

===Shareholders===
In 2017, PG&E settled a shareholder class action lawsuit alleging "gross mismanagement" by agreeing to have its insurance company pay PG&E $90&nbsp;million, and to budget $32&nbsp;million for safety and governance improvements.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/pge-settles-shareholder-suit-90-million/|title=PG&E Settles Shareholder Suit for $90 million|date=July 19, 2017|access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>

==Media coverage==
[[Brigham McCown]], the former head for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, called for the creation of a national commission to examine the problems surrounding high-pressure fuel pipelines that have been built in residential areas. McCown says it often takes an "incident like this one to force change." He also suggested installing a "no man's land" around some pipelines in hopes of preventing another disaster.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Rebecca |last2=Woo |first2=Stu |date=2010-09-13 |title=Calls for Action Emerge After Gas Explosion |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704190704575490151786040796 |access-date=2022-03-23 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Elinson |first=Zusha |last2=Walter |first2=Shoshana |last3=Shih |first3=Gerry |date=September 10, 2010 |title=Experts Weigh in on Possible Causes of Pipe Failure |work=The Bay Citizen |url=http://www.baycitizen.org/san-bruno-explosion/story/experts-weigh-possible-causes/comments/#comments |url-status=dead |access-date=March 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913021822/http://www.baycitizen.org/san-bruno-explosion/story/experts-weigh-possible-causes/comments/#comments |archive-date=September 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2010 |title=U.S. Gas Pipeline Safety |url=http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295522-6,html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414112128/http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295522-6,html |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |website=C-Span}}</ref>

On September 9, 2012, a memorial to the victims was unveiled in the San Bruno City Park.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abc7news.com/archive/8803866 |title=Memorial plaque unveiled for two year anniversary of San Bruno pipeline explosion and fire |publisher=[[KGO-TV]] |date=September 9, 2012 |accessdate=January 18, 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area}}
* [[List of pipeline accidents]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
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{{Commons category|2010 San Bruno explosion and fire}}
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-bruno-fire-explosion,0,4829434.htmlstory San Bruno explosion map] Interactive map from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.
* [https://abc7news.com/archive/7659899/ "Resources for San Bruno Residents"] ([[KGO-TV]])
* [http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2010/0911/20100911_120051_sbfire5.jpg Aerial photograph of the aftermath] – Taken on November 9, 2010
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100916182125/http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/san-bruno-california-explosion-before-and-after-views-via-google-earth-photos/19632228 Before and after comparison photos]
* [http://www.mercurynews.com/san-bruno-fire Photo gallery and links to stories and information]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110629041228/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7668355 Commercial pilots in the air realized it was not a plane crash] – Video
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100916030155/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7666244 Surveillance video of the explosion from a gas station one quarter mile away] – Video
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHyrf1llJWs&hd=1 Surveillance video from inside a grocery store one quarter mile away] – Video
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190320170020/https://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov/ National Pipeline Mapping System] – Location of gas transport pipelines
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150222210700/http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/events/pge_emails01302015.htm Emails Produced by PG&E] – 65,000 emails between PG&E and the CPUC
* [https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/accidentreports/reports/par1101.pdf The NTSB Report on the San Bruno PG&E gas pipeline failure]
{{San Bruno, California}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:San Bruno}}
[[Category:San Bruno, California]]
[[Category:Fires in California]]
[[Category:Explosions in California]]
[[Category:2010 disasters in the United States]]
[[Category:Gas explosions in the United States]]
[[Category:Pipeline accidents in the United States]]
[[Category:History of San Mateo County, California]]
[[Category:2010 in California]]
[[Category:Pacific Gas and Electric Company]]
[[Category:2010 industrial disasters]]
[[Category:Urban fires in the United States]]
[[Category:Explosions in 2010]]
[[Category:2010s crimes in California]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Energy in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:September 2010 events in the United States]]