Man charged with blasts at PG&E transformers

SAN JOSE — A 36-yearold man has been charged with blowing up two Pacific Gas & Electric transformers, causing blasts that knocked out power to thousands of utility customers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Peter Karasev’s was arrested last Wednesday after investigators used surveillance camera footage and cell phone tracking to link him to the explosions in December and January, according to the San Jose Police Department. Authorities on Friday searched Karasev’s home and turned up explosive materials along with an “inactive” meth lab, police said. No injuries were reported in the blasts on Dec. 8 and Jan. 5 that damaged two PG&E transformers, KGO-TV reported.

Karasev faces multiple charges including arson, exploding a destructive device, destroying an electrical line and possessing materials with the intent to create a destructive device, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said.

WEST COVINA — An elderly woman and two young

children were killed when flames ripped through their apartment early Sunday near Los Angeles, authorities said.

The blaze broke out shortly before 1 a.m. at the apartment complex in West Covina, according to the city’s fire department.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered large flames coming through several windows, officials said.

After the fire was extinguished, crews found three people dead inside. Details about the identities, ages and relationship of the victims were not immediately released.

One apartment was damaged by flames, while other units had smoke damage, ABC 7 reported.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.