watching....... people reported smelling gas for DAYS before this.

 

I just got home. I work on Cherry in San Bruno across from the Bayhill center where all the Red Cross stuff and such is at. Our building is out of power now. It sounded like the Blue Angels were over our building and then it shook - windows rattling - and then we could see flames literally leaping over the hill from the explosion. I took some video from 280 early on but looks like lots of people got video too. I was delayed 10 minutes leaving today, but my commute takes me right by there - Sequoia and Sneath. Just crazy - hard to believe. I was driving around trying to get anywhere really and there were people walking all over, there was a fight at Sneath and 280 by the 76 station there. Weird ish.

Anyway if you listen to KGO810 - they just had a guy on there confirming it was a PGE line. Number 132 or something - a 16-24" line. They will not confirm what the cause was or whether or not their crews were working in the area at the time - which several crewmen already admitted early on to a news reporter that they were working in the area. People have been reporting gas smells in the areas and specifically coming from storm drains. PGE was in the area yesterday based on one of these calls.

Cannot even believe what this must be like for those involved. If you have seen any of the pictures let alone the area it's devastating.

 

By the way - this should be obvious but please do whatever you can to stay away from this area. It's absolute chaos right now and emergency crews are overstressed as it is. Even using a cell phone in the area could cause a problem since several cell stations were destroyed or were knocked off power. Battery backup will be failing soon. AT&T is pulling COWs on site but they may not be geared up and ready till 1-2am. Just stay away and send good thoughts. If you feel inspired to donate to Red Cross - make sure and specify that you are donating for the San Bruno fire so it gets to the right place.

 

well said

 

So how's the methane gas produced by these COWS going to help? Of course, AT&T service sucks so bad, I doubt that their COWS standing around mooing is going to do any good - except provide some milk to the evacuees.

 

 

I was planning on donating shoes and clothes to Goodwill, but I'll be taking them over there instead. 50+ homes destroyed=a lot of people without shoes and clothes. Heard on the news that Red Cross won't take physical donations, so if anyone hears of places in that area or around that are getting things directly to the families let me know. Friends tow yard usually donates the clothes from cars they clean out to homeless shelters, probably grab the weekly pile along the way.

Even though I don't know anyone directly involved with this freak accident, still feel horrible that a lot of families will be left with nothing.

 

Cell On Wheels. COW.

 

whole area is evacuated , i evacuated just because to stay safe i live on the other side of skyline. i went around the whole area so far 53 homes burned down and 100+ damaged. easily over 100+ emergency vehicles. i was coming back from san jose and i could see the smoke back from woodside.

 

I just went outside and I swear that you can smell the fire....and I'm in Campbell!

 

They are currently saying to take donations to your "local charity organization" as they are not equipped to take on donations direct on-site. I can understand that in a way as the Bayhill center was PACKED and absolutely nuts when I was last there around 9:30. Apparently Red Cross is working with local organizations that are geared to accept and sort donations and will be getting items directly channeled to those in need. Hope that makes sense.

 

the map was from the mercury link on the first page, might have been updated since then.


BTW the emergency hotline is 650-616-7180
they say if you dont get through keep trying

or San Mateo Red Cross # is (650) 259-1750

 

 

I'm on my iPhone now with no problems... Works like normal!

 

the smoke is really smelling up daly city now...