Chino Hills, California – A house exploded in a Southern California neighborhood, injuring eight people and damaging two nearby homes, while firefighters evacuated a total of 16 homes.
Chino Hills firefighters did not say what caused the explosion Sunday, but said the gas leak had been stopped. Pictures and videos from the scene showed the house turned into a pile of rubble.
“Crews will remain at the scene to continue repair work and investigation,” the Chino Valley Fire District posted online.
The fire department said four people were taken from the home to the hospital, while four others brought themselves. Their conditions were not immediately known.
KABC-TV reported that witnesses said they saw people running from the exploded house, including children crying for help.
People whose homes were not damaged were later allowed to return.
A phone message seeking comment was left with Southern California Gas.
Chino Hills has a population of about 78,000 and is located about 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Los Angeles.