A massive explosion Friday in Fresno, California, injured more than a dozen people and sent a plume of fire into the sky.
The explosion happened around 2:30 p.m. when a gas line ruptured, according to Fresno County Emergency Medical Services Director Dan Lynch. He told BuzzFeed News that there were crews working in the area at the time, but the cause of the explosion remained under investigation.
Fresno Fire Department spokesman Pete Martinez said a front loading tractor had been working in the area where the explosion took place, but it was not immediately clear if it caused the gas pipe to break.
"We're not sure if there was any digging," Martinez said.
A total of 14 people were injured in the explosion.
The Fresno County Sheriff's office tweeted that 13 of the victims were jail inmates. One inmate and a county roads worker were in critical condition late Friday.
Gas line explosion @FresnoSheriff gun range. Total of 14 injured. 13 jail inmates, 1 county roads worker. He & 1 inmate critically hurt.
The number of victims steadily climbed during the incident — earlier Dan Lynch of Fresno Emergency Medical Services told BuzzFeed News 11 people were injured, and previous reports had placed the total at about eight.
Large fireball from PG&E Gas explosion @ 7448 N Weber near 99 and Herndon Photo @TheValleyGuy http://t.co/8oQ8qlsiHa
Images from the scene showed massive plumes of flame and smoke rising over Highway 99.
Lynch said northbound Highway 99 was shutdown during as firefighters extinguished the blaze.
#BREAKING: Large fire, possible explosion closes down both directions of Hwy 99 JNO #Fresno.