Gas pipeline explodes in south Texas

http://www.pr-inside.com/gas-pipeline-explodes-in-south-texas-r440999.htm ^ | 02/15/08

[Sammy67]

McCOOK, Texas (AP) - An explosion Friday at a gas pipeline in south Texas sent flames rising hundreds of feet into the air, but the fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported, authorities said. Hidalgo County Emergency Manager Tony Pena said earlier reports that one person had been injured in the explosion were incorrect. After the explosion, black smoke rushed across a cloudy sky in northern Hidalgo County, driven by winds gusting to 40 mph (64 kph). Orange flames reached 400 feet to 500 feet (120 meters to 150 meters) into the air, Pena said. Firefighters shut off the flow of crude oil distillate about 10 miles (16 kilometers) down the pipeline and the fire had nearly burned itself out after three hours. A nearby road in the rural farming community was damaged by the fire and would likely remain closed during the day, Pena said.

The fire marshall was investigating the cause of the explosion on the pipeline owned by Hesco, Pena said.

[Sammy67]

?

[Erasmus]

Well, it certainly chose an appropriate place to happen.

[anoldafvet]

Before this was even on the news, the gasoline distributors in the Louisville area had jacked the price of gas by $.30 a gallon, and were citing this as the cause.

[SwinneySwitch]

Natural gas, not gasoline, pipeline.