Mannweiler said seven duplexes were damaged and 38 families were evacuated, most because utilities serving their homes were shut off for safety reasons. At least some are staying with other people in town.

The evacuations had not been lifted as of Saturday afternoon at the housing unit, which is made up of 38 duplexes and some stand-alone homes, Mannweiler said.

"We have to inspect everything to make sure we're not jeopardizing our families," he said.

Other people suffered superficial cuts and bruises in the explosion, which is being investigated with help from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Located at an altitude of about 9,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains near the Nevada border, the Mountain WarfareTraining Center is one of the Marine's most remote posts.

The base, which has about 160 Marines and 300 support staff, conducts unit and individual training for action in mountainous, high altitude and cold weather areas.

"As Marines, we tend to take pretty good pride in being in shape," Mannweiler said. "But guys come out to (this base) to see what they are made of."