California gas pipeline explosion, fire injure up to 15 people

A construction crew on Friday accidentally ruptured a natural gas transmission line in Fresno, Calif., sparking an explosion and fire that injured up to 15 people, four of them critically, officials said.

According to Reuters, the Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. pipeline was hit by a backhoe near state Highway 99, causing a fireball that injured construction team members and a jail inmate crew nearby.

The highway was closed in both directions, along with an adjacent railroad.

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