Family sues PG&E over gas explosion in Alameda County

(CN) — A family sued Pacific Gas & Electric and Alameda County Wednesday over an explosion caused by a natural gas line leak that obliterated their home and caused severe injuries.

In December 2025, Mayo Asphalt Milling, a subcontractor working for the county to repave the street, was digging when it accidentally ruptured a .75-inch steel underground service line — only months after it had already struck a different gas line. PG&E workers responded to the resulting gas leak but, according to the Duenas family, “failed to respond in a timely manner to stop the gas from leaking into the neighborhood.”

The Alameda County Fire Department also responded to the scene but, according to the family, “left shortly thereafter with the gas leak unresolved.” No families in the neighborhood were warned that there was a gas leak nearby, according to the plaintiffs. PG&E told investigators that they did knock on the Duenas’ door, but they say Ring camera footage shows otherwise.

“Despite being aware that gas was present near the Duenas home, defendants continued to perform work in the area and permitted traffic to continue on East Lewelling Boulevard, demonstrating a reckless disregard for the safety of those in the vicinity of the gas leak,” the plaintiffs say in their complaint.

It’s unclear what caused the explosion, which occurred about an hour and a half after firefighters left. According to the family, Jesus Duenas Ponce “fell into the basement of the house and saw a red-hot pipe explode.”

“Jesus suffers from severe physical injuries, including, but not limited to, extensive burns and broken limbs, wrist, arm and hip injuries,” he and his family say in their complaint. “He has already had two surgeries due to extensive physical injuries and continues to have limited mobility and limited use of his hands.”

Maria Duenas Ponce was also home, asleep with her daughter, Soledad, who suffered two broken ribs and bruising. Maria suffered “a fractured neck, and burns on her hands, arms and face. She has limited range in her left arm, and her throat and jaw no longer properly function. For some time, Maria was hooked up to a breathing machine and underwent multiple surgeries.”

The Duenas family is suing PG&E, Alameda County and several subcontractors for negligence and public nuisance, among other things.

“PG&E and the county failed to adequately maintain and/or manage these gas lines,” the family says in the complaint. Mayo Asphalt, meanwhile, was negligent “by failing to dig by hand near the gas line.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the explosion. In its preliminary report, the agency notes three PG&E workers were also injured.

“PG&E is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond appropriately,” a spokesperson for the utility said in an email. “The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation process is ongoing, and as a party to the investigation, we are restricted from commenting further at this time under NTSB rules.”

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