The Wagner Law Group has established a Gas Line Explosion Victim Hotline following an underground gas pipeline explosion in Hayward, California, that destroyed one home and damaged several others, with at least six people transported to trauma centers. According to officials, the Alameda County Fire Department was initially dispatched to the 800 block of East Lewelling Blvd. for a reported natural gas leak at 7:50 a.m. but was cleared by PG&E crews at 7:55 a.m. The explosion occurred at 9:38 a.m., prompting firefighters to return to the same location.
Butch Wagner of The Wagner Law Group stated that the tragedy might have been avoided with greater investment in infrastructure inspection. "PG&E doesn't do enough to maintain its outdated gas line infrastructure," Wagner said, adding that while the utility has leak detection technology, insufficient resources are dedicated to public safety. Wagner characterized the sequence of events as unparalleled negligence, noting that PG&E crews cleared the area before the explosion occurred.
The firm, which describes itself as having a proven track record of holding PG&E accountable, has recovered over $300 million for accident victims. The Wagner Law Group encourages those affected by the explosion to contact their hotline for a no-cost consultation. The firm also handles other cases, including representing FCI Dublin prison sex abuse victims and various personal injury matters.
The establishment of this specialized response highlights ongoing concerns about utility infrastructure safety and legal recourse for affected communities. The incident's timing, following fire department clearance, raises questions about leak assessment protocols and emergency response coordination between utilities and public safety agencies. This event underscores the critical need for rigorous infrastructure maintenance and transparent safety procedures to prevent similar disasters in communities reliant on aging utility systems.
