Residents displaced by SF gas explosion, cause under investigation

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)  A gas line that leaked and triggered an explosion in San Francisco's Bernal Heights area Monday has been repaired, but residents affected by the explosion are still picking up the pieces.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the elderly couple whose apartment in the 3900 block of Mission Street was damaged in a gas explosion around 10:15 a.m. on Monday. 

Carmen, 72, Carlos, 70, and their son Carlos, 43, are currently looking for a new place to live while their unit is repaired, according to the GoFundMe page created by Kathy Perez. 

Their only car was also wrecked in the explosion, as were their belongings, according to Perez. 

"As you can imagine, they are devastated by this disaster," Perez said on the GoFundMe page. As of Wednesday evening she had raised $600 toward a goal of $6,000.

The gas leak was reported shortly before 10 a.m. when firefighters were called to the 3900 block of Mission Street near St. Mary's Avenue to investigate a strong gas odor in the area, according to fire officials.

At 10:14 a.m., an explosion occurred in the lower floors of 3987 Mission St., a three-story residential building, causing moderate damage to the home and blowing out its front windows.

No injuries were reported. 

The incident caused buildings in the area to be evacuated for most of the day while PG&E crews worked to locate the source of the leak and stop the flow of gas. 

PG&E spokeswoman Andrea Menniti today said that all gas service was restored to the area by late Tuesday and the damaged pipeline in the street was repaired.

The cause and exact location of the leak remains under investigation, and the company has notified the California Public Utilities Commission and hired an independent engineering firm, Exponent, to assist in the investigation. 

Menniti said the utility had sent representatives out this week to assist those whose units were damaged and who were without power. 

"For the resident of the building that was damaged, the support includes temporary housing and financial assistance," she said. "Additionally, we have been in contact with the owner of the property." 

Supervisor Hillary Ronen on Tuesday called for a Board of Supervisors hearing on the gas leak. 

Menniti said PG&E is aware of the hearing request and is "committed to collaborating with city leaders during the process." 

The GoFundMe page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/godoys-family-home-disaster.