House Promptly Explodes After Contractors Strike Gas Line

First responders were praising a SoCal Gas worker Tuesday night after he urged homeowners out of a Woodland Hills house moments before a gas explosion and fire gutted the structure. At least one explosion was reported at the two-story home at 4961 Marmol Drive, south of Ventura Boulevard, according to Amy Bastman of the Los Angeles Fire Department, who said the fire broke out about 7:40 p.m. Preliminary reports indicated a third-party contractor was doing sewer work when it hit and damaged a natural gas service line, according to Chris Gilbride of Southern California Gas.