Posted on 09/12/2010 3:26:16 PM PDT by Justaham
Residents returned Sunday to the ruined hillsides of their suburban San Francisco neighborhood, three days after a natural gas pipeline exploded into a deadly fireball. A nearby segment of the line was due to be replaced, the utility responsible said, because it ran through a heavily urbanized area and the risk of failure was "unacceptably high." That 30-inch diameter pipe about two and a half miles north was installed in 1948, and was slated to be swapped for new 24-inch pipe.
But investigators still don't know what caused the blast Thursday night, and even as dozens of people returned to their scorched homes—accompanied by gas workers to help restore pilot lights and make sure it is safe to turn power back on—officials tried to confirm just how many people died.
The remains of at least four people have been found, and authorities have said five people are missing and at least 60 injured, some critically.
San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault said they're still trying to confirm whether some of the remains they found are human and identify victims.
Streets were crowded Sunday with Pacific Gas and Electric cars and trucks, and representatives were handing out gift certificates for grocery stores. Nearly 50 homes were destroyed and seven severely damaged in the blast, while dozens of other homes suffered less severe damage in the fire that sped across 15 acres.
Pat and Roger Haro and their dog, "Rosie," have been living in a hotel room since Thursday after fleeing their home with the clothes they were wearing, dog food, water and an iPad.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Prayers up!
What a nightmare. I can’t even imagine my entire neighborhood going up in a fireball. This is stuff from a Hollywood disaster movie. Prayers and thoughts up to all affected.
i am concerned about the safety of our Gas Pipelines, so by executive order, I am declaring a Moratorium on their use for the next 6 months, Think how much you will reduce your carbon footprint.
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If there was no external disturbance (digging), and gas was leaking from the pipe, it could have been caused by Eddy currents flowing in the ground causing corrosion and break in the pipeline and eventually causing spark to ignite the mixture and explode. Water lines are also prone to corrosion/erosion by Eddy currents, with less "spectacular" effect.
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