A natural gas explosion in Santa Barbara Monday sent a man to the hospital with injuries.
Santa Barbara City Fire Department said the incident happened on the north side of town, not far from Bishop Garcia Diego High School.
The department said a contractor was using a hand held electric digging device with a metal spade and hit a natural gas line which created an explosion and fire.
The worker was taken to Cottage Hospital.
Santa Barbara Fire says this incident serves as a reminder to always check for underground utility lines prior to digging by calling 8-1-1.