CALIFORNIA: A ruptured natural gas line has caused an explosion that killed one person and injured three others in Central California.

The blast occurred around 3:30 p.m. Friday on farmland in Bakersfield.

Kern County fire Capt. Tom Ellison tells KBAK-TV (http://bit.ly/1HOtnJs ) that a piece of heavy equipment broke the line, sparking an explosion. Ellison says the equipment operator died from injuries.

KGET-TV (http://bit.ly/1N2Rlbg ) says witnesses reported seeing flames soar 200 feet in the air.

The station says three people in a nearby home suffered second- and third-degree burns.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Co. line was shut off at around 5 p.m.