Natural Gas Pipeline Explodes in Texas

May 21, 2003
Authorities in southeast Texas were trying to determine what caused a natural gas pipeline to explode and burn into the early hours Wednesday.
NEDERLAND, Texas (AP) -- Authorities in southeast Texas were trying to determine what caused a natural gas pipeline to explode and burn into the early hours Wednesday.

No injuries were reported when the 30-inch pipeline near the Sun Oil Co. plant in Nederland ruptured about 11 p.m. Tuesday, Houston Pipe Line Co. spokesman Peter Main said.

``We have the line shut in and the damaged area isolated,'' Main said Wednesday. ``Investigation and repairs are underway.''

The blast rattled houses and businesses for several miles and left ash and residue on homes and cars in Jefferson County. It took firefighters more than two hours to bring the blaze under control.

Nederland is about 85 miles east of Houston.

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