4 homes red-tagged following Murrieta gas explosion that killed 1, injured 15

Four homes are uninhabitable following a gas explosion Monday, July 16, that killed a SoCalGas employee and leveled one house, Murrieta fire officials said.

Murrieta Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief David Lantzer said Tuesday morning, four homes near the corner of Spinning Wheel Drive and Wooden Horse Trail were red-tagged, meaning no one can live in them. A fifth was yellow-tagged, which means the home was moderately damaged and has limited habitability.

Lantzer said the SoCalGas worker who died in a gas explosion at the Murrieta home Monday worked for the company for 14 years. His name has not released.

Another SoCalGas worker who was injured in the explosion was released from the hospital. The three firefighters injured in the explosion were also released from the hospital.

There was no immediate word on the 11 other injured. Lantzer said injuries included concussions and thermal injuries, but could not give more details.

Lantzer said 20 people checked into a Red Cross care station at Vista Murrieta High School last night and six stayed overnight.

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