13 February 2014, News Wires – Two people were injured after an explosion ripped through a gas pipeline in the US, burning houses and cars and sending a fireball into the night sky.
Operator NiSource shut in part of the Columbia Gulf Transmission pipeline following the early-morning blast in Adair County, Kentucky on Thursday.
The resultant fireball is said to have destroyed a limited number of homes and vehicles, while also damaging some areas of woodland in Knifley.
Two people were injured, but NiSource said in an incident update on Thursday that they have both been released from hospital.
Shortly after 1am local time, the pipeline operating teams noticed a drop in pressure. Crews immediately responded to the pipeline rupture and isolated the damaged portion, stopping the flow of gas to the ruptured portion.
“We know that there has been damage to homes and there are reports of injuries, as well as an evacuation of the surrounding community,” NiSource said in a statement.
“We don’t yet know the cause but will be working with the appropriate authorities to conduct a thorough and complete investigation.”
The company later issued an update saying: “At this time, there is no impact to commercial operations on Columbia Gulf and no impact to Columbia Gas Transmission.”
– Upstream
