ONE PERSON HAS died and at least 30 have been rushed to hospital after a massive ball of fire swept through a San Fransisco neighbourhood on Thursday evening.

Utility officials say they believe the blast came from a large natural gas pipeline that runs under the ground of the neighbourhood, San Bruno.

Authorities conducted emergency evacuations in the town, where several buildings were destroyed by the raging flames. The San Mateo County coroner’s office has confirmed one death as a result of the explosion.

Several fires were still not under control on Friday morning, and helicopters and airplanes could be seen dumping water and fire retardant chemicals in an effort to quell the flames.

More than 20 houses have been totally destroyed and many more engulfed by the fire.

Speaking to AFP, one local resident Tina Diloia said: “I heard a sound like a low flying plane, then all of a sudden the house shook… “Then there was another explosion. I went outside and there was debris falling from the air.”

As Diloia, her husband and their baby were about to evactuate the town, she said:”It looks like the entire mountainside is burning.”

Fears of a terrorist link were initially raised, as the incident has occurred so close to the anniversary of the 11 September attacks, however no evidence points to that scenario.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. spokesman Jeff Smith told the San Francisco Chronicle that one of the utility’s natural gas transmission lines ruptured.

“If it is ultimately determined that we were responsible for the cause of this incident, we will take accountability,” Smith said. “Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this terrible situation.”