Earthquake Story

At 8:12 a.m. Monday morning, the San Francisco Bay area was hit by an earthquake.

"The earthquake under the Haywood Hills had a magnitude of 6.4," scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park Penny Gertz said. "It took place on the Hayward Fault underneath the hills."

Two were killed and six were injured as a result of a collapsing building at 2342 Plum St. that housed McHenry’s Auto Supply.

"Names of the dead are being withheld pending notifications of families," public information officer from the Hayward Fire Department Jennifer Vu said. "All of the victims have been identified."

Three of the six people were seriously injured, and they were transported to Hayward General Hospital.

"The three injuries that required immediate hospitalization were quickly taken care of," Vu said. "No other serious injuries have been reported in Hayward."

Hayward firefighters used ropes to stabilize the auto supply shop. They regulated a search of the building and were able to cap a gas line after coming across a gas leak on site.

"Twenty-one fire personnel, twelve police, and five American Red Cross workers responded to the collapsed building," Vu said. "The first of them arrived within four minutes of the quake."

Resident Mike Beamer, who lives directly across the street from McHenry's, reported a violent shaking motion that lasted about thirty seconds.

“I was eating my breakfast when the room started rolling," Beamer said. "I dove under the table just as I heard an explosion outside, and a chunk of cement flew through my kitchen window. That’s when the screaming started across the street.”

People across California experienced the quake and could feel its effects.

"Reports of the earthquake came from as far south as Los Angeles to as far north as Redding," Gertz said. "It was definitely as strong one."