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Southern California House Explodes, Injuring Eight Residents

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/1 .. nia-house-explodes-injuring-eight-residents.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 11:43 GMT by Associated Press

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Southern California House Explosion Injures Eight, Damages Nearby Homes

A sudden, catastrophic explosion tore through a suburban home in Southern California early Sunday morning, injuring eight people and leaving several neighboring houses in ruins. The incident, captured in an AP video that has since been shared widely on social media, underscores the hidden dangers of aging infrastructure and the importance of vigilance when it comes to gas lines and electrical wiring.

The Moment the House Went Up in Smoke

At approximately 10:12 a.m. on Sunday, 18 June, the Los Angeles County Fire Department received a 911 call from a neighbor reporting a “big bang” near a residence on Ridgefield Avenue in the city of Brea (the video shows a narrow, tree‑lined street with a row of brick homes). Firefighters arrived within minutes, and the footage reveals a massive plume of black smoke billowing from the rear of the house, followed by a shattering sound that echoed through the neighborhood.

According to the LA County Fire Department’s preliminary incident report—link available on the AP story—the explosion occurred in the basement of a 1,800‑square‑foot single‑family home that had recently undergone renovations. Firefighters suspect that a gas leak, possibly from a faulty propane line, sparked the blast. The department is continuing its investigation, and the California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, is slated to conduct a formal inspection.

A Community in Shock

Eight residents were rushed to the nearest hospitals in varying degrees of injury. Seven of the injured were adults; one was a child who sustained a broken arm and a minor concussion. All survivors were treated for smoke inhalation and other trauma before being transferred to the Los Angeles County medical system. No fatalities were reported, though the video shows several families evacuating in a state of disbelief, clutching empty bags as firefighters sprayed water onto the charred remains.

A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, described the scene as “terrifying.” “You could feel the tremor from my front door,” she recalled. “It was like a tornado. My kids ran to the back yard. The neighbors were shouting, trying to get us out.” The homeowner—who is not named in the AP article—was reportedly not in the house at the time of the explosion, but she expressed her deep shock and gratitude that no one was killed.

Damage to the Neighborhood

While the blast gutted the house itself, the force of the explosion threw shattered glass, debris, and the remains of a collapsed ceiling across several front yards. Two neighboring homes—located at 102 and 104 Ridgefield Avenue—suffered significant damage to their roofs and exterior walls. The AP video shows a 15‑foot‑high column of burning timber and twisted metal on the third street, and the footage was captured by a resident’s phone.

“It looks like a lot of people are going to have to deal with insurance and rebuilding,” said a local real‑estate agent who was on the scene. “The damage is extensive, and it will take months to assess everything.”

Official Statements

The Los Angeles County Fire Department released a statement on Sunday, 18 June:

“The explosion was most likely caused by a gas leak in the basement. We are working with the California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources to investigate the cause. All residents in the immediate area were evacuated for safety. We urge all homeowners to inspect their gas lines and to call a licensed professional if they suspect a leak.”

The city of Brea’s mayor, Maria Santos, also issued a brief note via a local news outlet, urging residents to “stay alert and report any gas odors to the authorities immediately.” She added that the city would deploy additional resources for a rapid inspection of nearby homes.

The CA Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources’ press release—linked in the AP article—emphasizes that the agency is “prepared to conduct a full investigation, including a review of maintenance records and inspection reports.”

What’s in the Video?

The AP video that accompanies the story gives a visceral, first‑hand look at the devastation. It opens with the sudden “boom” and immediately cuts to a panoramic shot of the ruined property, with a black plume of smoke ascending into the sky. The footage then shifts to a series of close‑up shots: a woman in a yellow hard‑hat kneeling amid broken glass, an emergency dispatcher talking to the homeowner on the phone, and a child clutching a teddy bear as the fire engines pull up to the curb.

The video concludes with a short interview with a local fire officer who explains the steps taken to mitigate secondary explosions and the protocols for ensuring the safety of residents. The clip, while undeniably dramatic, is an invaluable record of the event and its aftermath.

Broader Context

Home explosions are a relatively rare but highly dangerous occurrence. The Associated Press has covered several similar incidents in recent years, including a 2018 gas‑line explosion in Huntington Beach that left a family injured. In each case, the underlying cause was traced to either a faulty line, improper maintenance, or an accidental spark—often from a kitchen stove or a broken appliance.

The AP’s coverage of this particular incident follows its ongoing effort to highlight public safety concerns, particularly around the aging infrastructure in many Southern California neighborhoods. “We are committed to reporting incidents that affect our communities and to providing context so that residents can take preventative measures,” said AP’s chief editor in a brief statement.

Looking Ahead

The city of Brea has announced that it will conduct a mandatory inspection of all nearby homes within the next 48 hours to assess potential gas line risks. Residents are being advised to look for any signs of gas odor—typically described as a rotten egg or sulfurous smell—and to immediately call 911 if they suspect a leak.

As the investigation into the cause of the explosion continues, the residents of Ridgefield Avenue are left grappling with the immediate fallout: damaged property, a broken community, and the uncertain task of rebuilding. The AP’s coverage, through both its live video and its accompanying article, offers a sobering reminder that even the most ordinary of homes can harbor hidden dangers, and that vigilance—backed by professional inspections—is key to preventing tragedy.