Monday, July 6, 2015

Tractor's front loader caused the massive Fresno, California natural gas explosion that killed 1, and injured several others







    




 
 

JULY 6, 2015
 
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - 

Authorities say a tractor's front loader punctured a gas line that exploded at a Fresno gun range killing one man and sending several others to the hospital.

The California Public Utilities Commission on Monday released the report that says the tractor's bucket gouged and scraped the pipeline that exploded April 17 at a gun range used by the Fresno County Sheriff's deputies. 

The blast from the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. gas line temporarily closed both directions of the nearby Highway 99. It injured 11, including eight jail inmates and a county employee who drove the tractor.

Tony Botti of the Fresno Sheriff's Office says none of the inmates remain in the hospital.
Assistant Sheriff Tom Gattie says he hasn't received a copy of the report and can't comment.