No injuries reported, eight miles of pipeline shut down
By Newsdesk KRCG
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 5:17 a.m.
Read more: Local, Breaking
HOWARD COUNTY -- Update:
Panhandle Eastern Pipeline crews are working to determine what caused that natural gas explosion Wednesday night in Howard County, near Fayette.
Houston based-Panhandle Eastern's spokesman tells us no one is without gas because there are several intact lines running parallel in mid-Missouri.
Company officials say it will take some time for them to determine how the rupture happened.
Right now eight miles of pipeline are shut down.
For information on how to spot a gas leak click here.
Previous Story:
An explosion rocked Howard County last night around 9 p.m. near the Howard and Boone County line.
Firefighters say a natural gas line ruptured in a field creating a 100-foot fireball with smoke.
No one was hurt and no buildings were damaged
Firefighters say the explosion was beneficial to the area because the fire consumed free flowing natural gas, keeping it in one spot. They say the incident could have been much worse if the gas traveled.
Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Crews own the pipe and were on the scene to make sure the area stayed secure.
Once the fire burns out, crews can repair the 24-inch pipe line and try to figure out what caused the rupture.
Dozens of firefighters and several fire trucks were on the scene for just over an hour assisting. Howard County Fire officials are currently working on the case.
