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Home Front Economy
Explosions Reported at South Texas Gas Pipeline; Injuries Confirmed
2008-02-15
Here for now until we learn more about the cause.
Multiple explosions are being reported at a south Texas gas pipeline. Authorities say some people are injured.

How the explosions happened isn't immediately clear.

Authorities are working to cordon off the area and put out a fire.

The explosions were reported near McCook, a town near the U.S. Mexico border.
Posted by:lotp

#9  Steve S is correct . . . just check the map,

Phyllis Pilarcyzk owner of the McCook Trading Post, said she knew little "except it was a big boom." She described the rural farming community in northwest Hidalgo County as "30 miles from anything."

I'm surprised she heard it - they are almost nowhere, with lots of petro infrastructure around.
Posted by: Varmint Hupaiting7485   2008-02-15 22:03  

#8  After the latest BP explosion the chemical company where I work did a Process Hazzard Assement and we had to do some serious process changes to avoid a similar situation. Sometimes ya don't know it's gonna happen till it happens.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2008-02-15 21:14  

#7  Standard pipeline explosion due to shoddy, low-rent maintenance, I'm betting. In Houston, refineries seemd to blow up or catch fire all the time with BP being the worst offender, IIRC. Shelter in place - you can go outside when the air is breathable again.
Posted by: SteveS   2008-02-15 21:03  

#6  Drudge is saying there was a large blast in the tourist section of Mexico City

hopefully it caught a lot of the pickpockets, thieves, and scam artists, rather than tourists. Yeah, I been to the Zona Rosa
Posted by: Frank G   2008-02-15 20:13  

#5  Drudge is saying there was a large blast in the tourist section of Mexico City - probably no connection, probably.
Posted by: Punky Angens2044   2008-02-15 19:12  

#4  Since the linked AP headline reads Explosion not Explosions,and because the article at the link mentions only one explosion, I put my bet on "accident", Alan.
Posted by: GK   2008-02-15 16:19  

#3  From FOX -- it's out

Fire from a pipeline explosion here had nearly burned itself out, three hours after it began.

Hidalgo County Emergency Manager Tony Pena said earlier reports of one injury in the explosion were incorrect. Smoke from the fire was no longer visible and Pena said the fire would probably be out within an hour.

The pipeline is owned by Hesco, Pena said.

Farm-to-Market Road 490 west of McCook was damaged by fire and would likely remain closed through the day, Pena said.

The fire marshal was investigating the cause of the explosion, Pena said.

Black smoke rushed across a cloudy sky in northern Hidalgo County on Friday, driven by winds gusting to 40 mph. Orange flames were visible just over a rise. Flames from the rupture reached 400 feet to 500 feet, Pena said.

Firefighters shut flow of crude oil distillate about 10 miles down the pipeline and were waiting for the rest of the crude to burn off.

Phyllis Pilarcyzk owner of the McCook Trading Post, said she knew little "except it was a big boom." She described the rural farming community in northwest Hidalgo County as "30 miles from anything."
Posted by: Sherry   2008-02-15 14:31  

#2  Vancouver BC had an explosion 2 nights ago at a resturant; the police have not yet been able to question the suspect ( in hospital with burns over 40% of his body) so the motive is unknown.
Posted by: USN,Ret.   2008-02-15 14:23  

#1  anyone want to start a betting line?


Accident -
Mexicans -
Venezuela -
Paleos -
Al Q -
Al Gore -
???
Posted by: AlanC   2008-02-15 14:14  

00:00