Gas lines are shut down, Fresno Fire continues to monitor atmosphere and patrol the area around grass fire. pic.twitter.com/5eNTgZIKBm
— Fresno Fire PIO (@FresnoFire) April 18, 2015FRESNO, Calif., April 17 (UPI) -- At least 15 people were injured Thursday when a gas line explosion created a massive fireball in Fresno, Calif.
The explosion took place around 2:30 p.m. when a county roads worker operating a backhoe struck a PG&E gas line, the Fresno Fire Department said. The worker was critically injured.
The incident happened at the Fresno County Sheriff's gun range, where a group of inmates was using heavy equipment.
Thirteen other people -- all jail inmates -- were also injured, two critically and one in serious condition. Four people were transported to Saint Agnes Medical Center while three were taken to Madera Community Hospital.
The fire, which caused the one-hour closure of Highway 99, was contained by 5 p.m.
PG&E, which turned off gas at the site of the explosion, said it was investigating the incident.
"Our primary concern is the safety of the public and our employees," the company said on Twitter. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured."
