The Maltese-Americans living in San Bruno, California, are all safe and none of them lost their homes in the gas pipeline explosion that ripped through the sleepy suburb, killing seven and injuring 50.

San Francisco’s honorary consul, Louis Vella is in constant contact with the Maltese Ambassador to the US, Mark Miceli to ensure the well-being of the community in the San Bruno area, which is very popular with Maltese-Americans, is being safeguarded.

The natural gas main of utility Pacific Gas and Electric, installed in 1956, ruptured last Thursday night, leaving the charred neighbourhood looking like a war zone. The fire that blazed for hours melted cars and left burned out skeletons of houses in its wake.

Three people are still missing according to international media reports and forensic experts are struggling to identify human remains found in the area. Investigators are still working to pinpoint the cause of the explosion.

A small number of Maltese families had to be evacuated and should be able to return home later this week. They are among the luckier ones as 37 homes were completely destroyed in the blast.

Relatives in Malta can keep themselves abreast of the situation by contacting the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s consular coordinator, Leslie Agius on 2204 2408.