On Thursday, December 11, 2025, a gas line explosion destroyed a home and injured six people in the unincorporated community of Ashland in Alameda County, near Hayward in the East Bay area of San Francisco. The explosion happened in front of a home on East Lewelling Boulevard, where construction crews were working on a public works project for Alameda County to widen the sidewalk and add a bike lane.
Why Families Turn to Pritzker Hageman After Gas Explosions
Pritzker Hageman is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm whose Burn Injury Legal Team is known for representing families after catastrophic gas explosions. Our legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients harmed by severe burn injuries in gas explosion lawsuits nationwide.
Here’s why families across the country trust us with cases like the Alameda County gas line explosion:
- Proven Results in Explosion and Burn Injury Cases
We’ve secured life-changing settlements for burn survivors and their families, including a $40 million recovery for a man injured in a gas pipeline explosion. - Focused Legal Teams for Complex Injury Litigation
Our attorneys handle explosion, fire, and gas line cases nationwide. We understand the medical complexities of burn injuries and the technical aspects of utility and excavation explosions. - Independent Investigations to Uncover the Truth
We conduct thorough investigations into pipeline maintenance records, excavation procedures, and communication failures. Our goal is to identify every responsible party and every available source of compensation. - National Reach with Local Insight
We represent clients in California and all 50 states and work alongside local experts to help families pursue justice in their home communities. - No Fees Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.
If your family was affected by the Ashland explosion, you can call 1-888-377-8900 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced explosion attorney. We’re here to help you take the next step.
Contact our lawyers today and find out how you can get compensation and justice
1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | attorneys@pritzerlaw.com
What We Know So Far About the Ashland Explosion
According to local news and preliminary reports, a third-party contractor working on a sidewalk and bike lane project struck a 3/4-inch steel gas service line during excavation. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) was notified around 7:30 AM and responded to reports of gas leaking from the line. Crews stopped one leak by 8:18 AM and a second by 9:25 AM. Around 9:35 AM, a massive explosion leveled a nearby home, injuring three PG&E employees and three people inside the house, including two adult siblings and a child.
Who Is Investigating the Explosion?
Multiple agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion, including:
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- PG&E
- The California State Fire Marshal
- Alameda County Fire Department
The NTSB has confirmed that both the gas service line and the two-inch main line were installed in the 1940s. Both were damaged during grading work performed as part of the public improvement project. Investigators are reviewing safety procedures, communication between parties, and the timeliness of leak response efforts.
What Caused the Gas Line Explosion in Ashland?
The official cause remains under investigation, but early information suggests excavation work damaged a steel gas line. PG&E crews were on-site and managing the leaks when the explosion occurred. This event has drawn comparisons to previous California gas explosions, underscoring the risks when aging infrastructure intersects with construction activity.
When gas lines are damaged during construction, even minor missteps can lead to catastrophic results. Families injured in gas explosions often seek legal help to determine whether safety rules were followed and whether the incident could have been prevented.
Can You Sue for a Gas Explosion Injury?
In many cases, yes. If investigators determine that one or more parties failed to follow proper safety procedures or violated state or federal regulations, victims may have the right to file a lawsuit. Legal action can be pursued against:
- Utility companies
- Construction or excavation contractors
- Subcontractors
- Line locating services
- Public entities or property owners
Each case is different, but proving liability often depends on showing that a party failed to meet its safety responsibilities. Even when explosions are labeled as accidental, that does not shield responsible parties from accountability if the incident could have been prevented.
An experienced gas explosion attorney can help families investigate the facts, determine who may be responsible, and take legal action to recover compensation.
Legal Help for Families Injured in the Ashland Explosion
If you or your loved one was injured in the Ashland gas explosion, you may be facing overwhelming questions about medical care, time off work, long-term recovery, and what to do next. At Pritzker Hageman, our burn injury legal team represents burn survivors and families nationwide in complex gas explosion lawsuits.
Our legal team will work to identify all potentially responsible parties, gather evidence from the investigation, and pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and future income
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care and support needs
You don’t have to face this alone. Contact Pritzker Hageman for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options and how we can help your family move forward after a life-changing explosion injury.
Legal FAQ: Your Rights After a Gas Explosion
Liability may rest with multiple parties. Construction contractors, utility companies, subcontractors, and even public agencies can be held accountable if they contributed to unsafe conditions or failed to follow proper safety protocols. A thorough legal investigation helps identify each party that may be legally responsible.
It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Key evidence can be lost within days, and there are legal deadlines that could affect your right to file a claim. An attorney can help protect your rights and preserve critical information from the start.
Victims may be eligible for compensation related to medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage, and future care needs. In more serious cases, damages for permanent disability, disfigurement, or emotional trauma may also apply.
Explosion lawsuits are complex. They often involve multiple companies, detailed safety investigations, and specialized knowledge of gas line systems. An experienced attorney will know how to uncover key facts, navigate negotiations, and fight for full compensation on your behalf.
Talk With Pritzker Hageman About the Ashland Gas Explosion
If you or a loved one was injured in the Ashland, California gas line explosion, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.
You can contact Pritzker Hageman:
- Call us at: 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free)
- Text us at: 612-261-0856
- Contact us online
There’s no obligation when you speak with our legal team about your potential case, and you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
We obtained this settlement for a man who lost his arm and leg in a gas pipeline explosion.
Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and burn injuries over 60% of his body in an explosion caused by improperly-odorized propane.
Our client suffered burn injuries over 50% of her body when a compressed natural gas line ruptured in a factory, causing an explosion.
See more settlements & verdicts.