Pipeline Blast Jolts Port Arthur, Nobody Hurt

PORT ARTHUR, TX. (AP) – Nobody has been hurt today in one pipeline explosion in Port Arthur that officials say started a second line on fire.

Crews have spent the day pouring water on the pipelines as the contents are allowed to burn out. The first pre-dawn blast involved a Union Carbide-Dow Chemical pipeline, in the Stonegate section of Port Arthur. Flames soared about 100 feet.

The pipeline flow was later shut off. Port Arthur Fire Chief Larry Richard says the blaze was much-diminished after the ethylene flow was shut off. Richard also says the first explosion led to a second pipeline catching fire, and that line also continues to burn.

He says the second line is operated by Texas Petrochemicals and carries crude butadiene. A shelter in place remains in effect for the Stonegate neighborhood. The cause of the original explosion is sought.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)