Car Crash Ignites Gas Line; Nine Hurt
A car rammed into a photography studio and ruptured a natural gas line, setting off an explosion and fire that destroyed the building and injured nine people, authorities said Sunday.
The motorist, Jeannie H. Thompson, 43, of Murray, suffered broken ribs and was treated at Cottonwood Hospital and released, police said. She was charged with drunken driving.
The explosion occurred late Saturday, as the escaping gas ignited while police were evacuating nearby businesses and apartments. The blast injured three firefighters, three police officers and two paramedics.
In Cranford, N.J., an explosion of unknown origin Saturday night destroyed a house, damaged seven surrounding houses and knocked two off their foundations, and forced the evacuation of more than 100 people. No one was seriously injured. The cause of the blast was under investigation.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
