One home destroyed and two others sustained damage

At about 1:40 pm today a home in Rancho Cordova at 10708 Paiute Way exploded due to a suspected natural gas leak. There were unconfirmed reports that PG& E was doing work at the home earlier in the day. The explosion happened near the intersection of Grayson Way and Olson Drive.

One home was leveled and the homes on either side of the destroyed residence sustained some damage. As a precaution, nearby residents are being evacuated to White Rock Elementary School at 10487 White Rock Road.

At least six people were injured, including a firefighter, when the home exploded creating a fireball witnesses said climbed four stories high. Of the six people injured, three are in critical condition, according to Christian Pebbles, Sacramento Metro Fire Department spokesman. One firefighter has also sustained minor injuries. The injured have been transferred to the UC Davis Medical Center.

There are reports that the blast was felt as far as the Bank of America, VSP and Progressive Insurance offices of of  Zinfandel Drive.

A command post has been established at 2969 Casa Del Sol in Rancho Cordova.