Crews respond to reported apartment explosion in Walnut Creek

Fire officials responding to reports of an explosion at a San Francisco Bay Area apartment complex say at least two people suffered critical burn injuries and have been airlifted to a hospital.

Contra Costa Fire Capt. Kent Kirby says fire crews were called to the four-unit complex in Walnut Creek around 10 a.m. Friday. They had mostly extinguished the fire they encountered by 11 a.m., but Kirby said a large part of the building had collapsed.

Kirby said it was not immediately clear whether there in fact had been an explosion. He said he was not aware of any reports of gas leaks. He did not immediately have any additional information.

Lori Meyers, a witness who works in an office building about a quarter mile away, said she felt an earthquake-like jolt.