![items.[0].image.alt](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0f971cc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x720+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8b%2F72%2F8eb98e614b89bd655969fbefbc54%2Fkero-default-image-1280x720.png)
MURIETTA, Calif. — A gas company worker died and a resident was reported missing Monday after a home exploded and caught fire in Murrieta, KABC reported.
The explosion happened about noon in a residential area of the Riverside County city near the intersection of Clinton Keith Road and Smith Ranch.
Today SoCalGas crews responded to reports of a damaged natural gas line & shortly after our crews arrived, there was an explosion. Sadly, one of our employees was fatally injured and others harmed. Our thoughts are with the families & first responders impacted. #Murrieta
— SoCalGas (@socalgas) July 15, 2019
SoCal Gas said workers went to the home on Wooden Horse Trail after a contractor damaged a natural gas line, according to KABC .
One employee died and another was taken to the hospital.
Firefighters fought flames for about two hours after the blast. The area was closed to residents, Murrieta Police reported.
