Natural Gas Line Explodes in Texas

Uploaded on Jun 7, 2010

JOHNSON COUNTY - A natural gas facility has exploded near Cleburne in Johnson County killing three, according to the Cleburne city manager, Chester Nolen.

At least three people are missing and several people have been transported to hospital with burn injuries.

A massive fireball and a huge plume of smoke can still be seen in the area.

Officials said workers apparently hit the underground line while digging.

"About 2:40 p.m., we heard a loud explosion, rumbling, almost like a tornado. It shook our entire house. The plume of smoke that came out or steam is heading this way, the wind is blowing it right over our house. We are trying to work out whether it is something we need to evacuate or not," said Laura Harlin in Johnson County.

"We don't really smell anything at this point. It sounds like faraway thunder at this point," she added. At 3:15 p.m., she said she could still hear the rumbling.

"There is a lot of onlooker traffic in the area," said Hood County resident, Franklin Daniel.

People living in the nearby Pecan Plantation have been told they don't need to evacuate.

A gas company is working to turn off a gas line. The underground line measures 36 inches.

"There's not a whole lot they can do, until they get that line turned off," Nolen said. "A lot is going to depend on where the main valves are that control that section of line. Obviously, what's in the line is going to have to burn off before they can get it shut off. So it may be late into this evening when they get the fire controlled."

Firefighters from eight departments are surrounding the fireball. Parkland Hospital is expecting patients to be transported to its specialist burn unit and are making preparations.