Large Explosions Rock Dallas, Natural Gas Tanks Set Ablaze

DALLAS (AP) – Three people have been injured in fiery explosions today blamed on a leak at a gas facility near downtown Dallas.

Fire Department Lieutenant Joel Lavender says a “pig-tailed” acetylene connector malfunctioned. The equipment is used to join tanks during the filling process. Lavender says two employees were burned, plus a trucker suffered a back injury.

Health officials say the “clean burning fuels” are dissipating, but environmental authorities will monitor the site for air quality. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says the canisters contained acetylene and propane gas.

Hazardous materials crews have set up booms to block water — used in firefighting — from entering the storm drain system.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-07-25-07 1616EDT