Fire fighting crews watch a ball fo fire plume above the ruins of burning homes after a massive gas pipe explosion sent flames roaring through San Bruno, Calif. on Sept. 9.

 

Thursday night's explosion, which could be heard for miles, shot a fireball more than 1,000 feet in the air, causing frightened residents to rush to get belongings out of burning homes and flee for safety.

 

Utility officials said a natural gas line ruptured in the vicinity of the blast, which left a giant crater and sent flames tearing across several suburban blocks in San Bruno just after 6 p.m.