The San Bruno Fire: Tragedy and Investigation

This chapter discusses a massive fire that occurred in the residential area of San Bruno, California. Initial reports suggested a plane crash or an earthquake, but it was later revealed that the explosion and fire were caused by a natural gas pipeline owned by regional utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The chapter describes the destruction caused by the fire, the efforts of firefighters and residents to control it, and the eventual discovery and shutting off of the gas flow by PG&E.