NTSB to Hold Hearing on Deadly San Bruno Gas Blast

Federal safety regulators will hold a hearing this week in Washington, D.C., on the natural gas explosion that killed eight people in the San Francisco Bay area.

The San Francisco Chronicle says 10 employees of Pacific Gas & Electric will testify at the three-day hearing that begins today.

The National Transportation Safety Board will look into pipeline operation and regulation. The board also plans to release thousands of pages of documents stemming from the September blast in San Bruno that destroyed 38 homes. They are expected to include lab tests on the failed pipe.

PG&E spokesman Joe Molica says the company looks forward to the hearing and believes it’s vital to learn from the tragedy.

The safety board plans to issue a final report on the disaster by September.