Colonial Pipeline Co shut down its main gasoline and distillates pipelines on Monday after an explosion and fire in Shelby, Alabama, killing a worker and sending five to the hospital – the second time in two months it had to close the crucial supply line to the U.S. East Coast.
A nine-man crew was conducting work on the Colonial pipeline system at the time of the explosion, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley told a briefing. Seven of the crew members were injured, with two evacuated by air.
The explosion occurred when a contract crew hit the gasoline pipeline (Line 1) with a trackhoe, igniting gasoline, Colonial said an e-mailed statement late on Monday.
One worker died at the scene and five individuals were taken to Birmingham-area hospitals for treatment, the company said.
Four were taken to the UAB hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, hospital spokesman Adam Pope said.
A segment of pipeline was undergoing maintenance on Monday afternoon when it exploded. The fire had been contained as of around 9 p.m. (0100 GMT on Tuesday), according to local media reports.
Crews built a 8-foot (2-meter) tall dirt dam to contain burning fuel, Bentley said on Twitter late on Monday.
The explosion sparked wildfires, burning 32 acres, the governor said.
The fire started a mile away from the leak that caused un-needed panic at the pumps and rising gas prices in mid-September. We will monitor the situation as it develops.
