Watch CBS News

Neighbors Recount Pollock Pines House Explosion

POLLOCK PINES (CBS13) – Coming home after a night of confusion, people who live next door to a Pollock Pines home that exploded are getting a firsthand look at the damage.

The violent eruption quickly turned the house into walls of flames.

"The flames were huge. They were pretty up high so I was worried, too, that trees were going to catch on fire," said Jose Estrada, who took cell phone video from his front porch after the blast.

The explosion was so big, debris from the home flew into Anna Hernandez's house nearby – shattering her window.

"We were afraid of those propane tanks exploding, too," Estrada said.

Crime tape still surrounds the now-gutted house.

Investigators say the man who lives here called 911, threatening to blow up his home on Pony Express Trail.

As police were arriving, they say they heard the explosion and then found the home engulfed in flames.

"They told us we had 2 minutes to evacuate, so that's when I left," Estrada said.

As fire crews worked to extinguish the flames before they spread, the man at the home was taken to the hospital for critical burn injuries.

"Thought maybe he had some mental problems or something," another neighbor said.

Arson investigators are still determining how the fire started, as neighbors here are still baffled at why the man put himself, and so many others, in danger.

The man's name has not been released. Right now it's unclear if he will face any charges.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.