Explosion sets homes ablaze near San Francisco

An explosion near San Francisco International Airport set several homes ablaze late Thursday, with a petrol station apparently at the center of the powerful fire, witnesses said.

An explosion near San Francisco International Airport set several homes ablaze late on Thursday, with a petrol station apparently at the center of the powerful fire, witnesses said.

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"I heard a sound like a low flying plane, then all of a sudden the house shook," said Tina DiIoia, who was with her baby in their condominium in the town of San Bruno, just south of San Francisco, when the explosion occurred about a half-mile away.

"Then there was another explosion. I went outside and there was debris falling from the air." Local utility officials were investigating whether the source of the explosion was a large natural gas pipeline.