A violent explosion occurred in a Sacramento suburb due to a suspected natural gas leak. The home in the suburb of Rancho Cordova was leveled by the explosion and the homes nearby were also slightly damaged by the blast.

Of the four victims, one died in hospital of injuries. The victim, Wilbert Paana, died Wednesday, according to Phyllis Brown, a spokeswoman with the University of California, Davis Medical Center, The Associated Press news agency reported.

The victim suffered a severe abdominal injury in the blast. The man, who was in his 70s, was listed in critical condition at the hospital. Two other people were also listed in and are still in critical condition. One of the victims suffered third-degree burns.

Two other victims who suffered lesser injuries were also hospitalized. The two patients who remained in critical condition are Kim Dickson and Sunny Dickson, who was being transferred to the burn unit at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California.

Residents called PG&E to complain about a strong scent of gas in their homes and outside, but since Tuesday night when the first phone call was made, nobody did anything until Wednesday morning when it was too late. The blast occurred at about 1:40 p.m.

The two crews sent to the scene - 10708 Paiute Way - but couldn’t locate the gas leak.