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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5545001.html

McCOOK — Firefighters were waiting until oil burns off inside a pipeline that exploded here today before trying to get closer to the blaze.

Black smoke rushed across a cloudy sky in northern Hidalgo County today, driven by winds gusting to 40 mph. Orange flames were visible in the air just over a rise.

One person on property adjacent to the explosion site was injured and is being treated, said Linn San Manuel Fire Department Chief Domingo Hinojosa Jr. The extent of the injuries was not immediately known.

“We’re just waiting for the fire to burn down,” Hinojosa said. Firefighters shut off the flow of crude distillate oil about 10 miles down the pipeline and were waiting for the rest of the crude to burn off.

Hinojosa said he did not know who owned the pipeline or what caused the explosions at about 9:30 a.m.

Phyllis Pilarcyzk owner of the McCook Trading Post, said she knew little “except it was a big boom.” She described the rural farming community in northwest Hidalgo County as “30 miles from anything.”