Firefighters can't forget 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion

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Wednesday, September 9, 2015
empty lots in the San Bruno, Calif.
Here is one of the empty lots in the San Bruno, Calif., neighborhood that suffered a terrible human and residential loss due to a natural gas pipeline explosion on Sept. 9, 2010.
KGO-TV

SAN BRUNO, Calif. (KGO) -- Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of the San Bruno pipeline explosion and fire. The blast killed eight people and destroyed or damaged 38 homes.



Today, some homes are still being rebuilt.



About 200 firefighters battled the intense fire. Even now, they remember those frightening moments when the blaze raged out of control and then helping the neighborhood recover.



San Bruno Batt. Chief Dave Cresta said he remembers "seeing the initial fear and panic. Up to days and weeks after of revisiting the site, helping families literally sift through the ashes to find some sort of memento."



It took PG&E 95 minutes to turn off the gas that was fueling the fire.



The utility has since installed remote shutdown system.



PG&E paid a $1.6 billion fine for failing to prevent the explosion.


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