One person was killed and five others were injured in a Colonial pipeline explosion in Shelby County, AL on Monday. One person was treated on site, four people suffered severe burns and were transported to UAB Hospital for treatment. One person died at the scene.
The explosion took place on Hwy 13 near Helena, about a mile from the site of a massive Colonial pipeline gas leak in September. At least eight subcontractors were working on the pipeline when it exploded starting fires and spewing an enormous plume of smoke into the sky that could be seen from miles away. An evacuation with a three-mile radius was ordered for the area. “The fire will not be out any time soon,” Shelby County Sheriff Maj. Ken Burchfield told Al.com.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene including Helena Police, Vestavia Hills Fire Department, the Shelby County’s Sheriff’s Department, Birmingham Fire, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Montevallo Fire Department and the Alabama Forestry Commission.
Pipeline Accidents
On average, 67 people are injured and 17 are killed each year in pipeline accidents, according to the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. These accidents most often affect members of the public rather than pipeline employees.
Below is a video of a fireball caused by a gas line eruption.
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Our attorneys can also help those who have suffered injuries from explosions, many of which require complex medical treatment. To contact them, for a free consultation click here. Or, call 1 (888) 377-8900 (toll-free). There is no obligation.
Sources:
wiat.com/2016/10/31/gas-line-explosion-confirmed-in-shelby-county/
www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/10/reported_gas_line_explosion_se.html