MIDLAND, Texas (AP) – State authorities say two separate ruptures occurred near where two natural gas pipelines cross in West Texas and led to a series of explosions that injured seven people.
The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates pipelines in the state, said Thursday that El Paso Natural Gas owns one of the pipelines operated by Kinder Morgan. That line crossed with another operated by Navitas Midstream about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of Midland.
Authorities say firefighters had suppressed flames from the initial rupture and explosion Wednesday when two explosions followed in quick succession, apparently as a result of the second rupture.
At least one firefighter was injured in addition to at least four pipeline employees. The severity of their injuries was not clear.
It’s not clear what caused either rupture.
Posted at 2:29 PM, Aug 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-02 15:29:36-04
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