Gas worker killed, 15 people injured in California house explosion

MURRIETA, Calif. — A gas company worker was killed and 15 people were injured when an explosion and fire leveled Southern California home in Murrieta.

A private contractor is accused of causing Monday's explosion in the city of Murrieta.

Investigators say he did not check for gas lines before digging on the property. The home blew up, killing a gas employee who was checking on the leak.

Three of the injured people were firefighters and the other 12 were civilians, fire department officials said.

TRENDING STORIES:

“There was a big huge ball of fire across the street and the heat was intense. It was hot,” said neighbor Kevin McKinney.

Residents of neighboring homes were evacuated.

Cox Media Group