San Bruno Fire Update: Damage, PG&E, Death Toll, NTSB (Video, Photos)

San Bruno's Fire update brings us info on damages, PG&E and their investigation, the NTSB, plus video footage and photos of the fire. The tragedy in San Bruno, California happened when a natural gas line, presumably owned by PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric), exploded. This created a huge crater, and destroyed at least 37 homes within a San Francisco Valley area subdivision.

PG&E has decided to issue "no strings attached" checks to victims of the explosion. A company spokesman has said that up to $100 million is going to be placed in a fund to help families rebuild their lives.

"The fund will be available to help citizens rebuild their lives and rebuild the city that they have so proudly lived in for so long," said a company spokesman.
The company also says that there are enough funds to have people rebuild their lives, although lives have been lost and you can never replace that.

The death toll stands at seven, and six people are still believed to be missing. Many expect the death toll to rise from this epic tragedy.

The cause of the blast is unknown. What's also is unknown is how far the damaged pipe was buried, as the earth around the crater is unstable, and therefore no one can get in and measure.

The authorities don't know if the pipe is corroded,

As for those seeking answers, the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) said that it would take 14 to 18 months to make a report and issue it to the state. The State has said that the timeline is "unacceptable."

The NTSB is the media communication point. PG&E, the state of California, city of San Bruno, and the Hazardous Materials Safety Management Administration have been instructed not to speak.

The pipe has been welded, although that doesn't necessarily indicate that the pipe has underwent repairs. There are a lot of unknown variables.

What is known is that there is an entire community that has been shattered. Where the possibility to rebuild this San Bruno California subdivision, you can't rebuild the lost lives and shattered dreams. It will be a long time before things even appear to get back to normal.

Everyone's thoughts and prayers are with the San Bruno fire victims. The damage, death toll, and cause will remain on the front of our minds.

Anyone who has information about the San Bruno fire is asked to email sanbruno@ntsb.gov.

Click here to see photos.

Source:

San Francisco Appeal
San Francisco Examiner
LA Times