Death toll in California gas blast rises to seven

The massive explosion and inferno ripped through a neighbourhood in San Bruno near San Francisco early Thursday evening,leaving residents shocked by the sudden devastation.

Huge flames blasted from the ground like a blow torch where the pipe was ruptured and fire spread relentlessly to houses in several directions. Hundreds of people fled for their lives,many weeping,while others paused to capture the chaotic scene on cell phone cameras.

The blast also injured 52 people — three with third degree burns — and destroyed 37 homes leaving seven others severely damaged. The blast-triggered fire consumed four hectares (10 acres) of property and was completely extinguished by Friday night. Emergency workers said they had searched over 75 percent of the smoldering ruins.

But Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado — standing in for California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,who is on a trade trip to Asia — was more cautious,stressing that a quarter of the inferno site had yet to be checked.

President Barack Obama on Saturday called Schwarzenegger “to express his condolences for the tragic loss of life in San Bruno and his concern for those still recovering from injuries,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs in a statement.

Three of the fatalities have been identified so far. They include a mother and her 13-year-old daughter and a 20-year-old woman,the San Mateo forensic institute said.