The Briefing Room

General Category => National/Breaking News => Topic started by: EC on November 14, 2013, 04:30:36 pm

Title: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: EC on November 14, 2013, 04:30:36 pm
Via NBC: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Pipleline-Explodes-in-Milford-Roads-Closed-231911591.html

Quote
Live video from Chopper 5 will appear in the player above. From time to time the screen may go black.  This is normal.

A gas pipeline has exploded in southern Ellis County in the town of Milford, about 50 miles south of Dallas.

According to county officials, a pipeline near U.S. Highway 77 and Farm-to-Market Road 308 was being worked on when it exploded.

As Chopper 5 flew to the scene, a massive plume of smoke was clearly visible on the horizon from about 40 miles out.  From 20 miles out, the flames shooting up into the air were visible, according to Ames Meyer, onboard Chopper 5.

First responders are being called in from neighboring cities and all roads within a 1-mile radius are being closed.

Students in the Milford Independent School District are being evacuated and taken to nearby Italy.

It is not known if anyone was injured in the explosion.

Milford is a small town along Interstate 35E, northeast of Hillsboro in southern Ellis County.

NBC 5 has crews on the way and we'll update this story with more information as soon as it's available.  As this story is developing, elements may change.
Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: SouthTexas on November 14, 2013, 04:51:50 pm
Sure looks like a rig, not a pipeline.

Blowout?
Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: EC on November 14, 2013, 05:05:12 pm
Quote from: SouthTexas on November 14, 2013, 04:51:50 pm
Sure looks like a rig, not a pipeline.

Blowout?

All reports so far are saying it is a natural gas pipeline.
Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: SouthTexas on November 14, 2013, 05:24:46 pm
Quote from: EC on November 14, 2013, 05:05:12 pm
All reports so far are saying it is a natural gas pipeline.

That's what they are saying.  It is in the middle of a field, so that's a good thing.
Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: EC on November 14, 2013, 06:10:26 pm
Quote from: SouthTexas on November 14, 2013, 05:24:46 pm
That's what they are saying.  It is in the middle of a field, so that's a good thing.

The smoke looks wrong. Too dark for nat gas, unless it it the field itself catching.
Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: SouthTexas on November 14, 2013, 10:07:51 pm
Quote from: EC on November 14, 2013, 06:10:26 pm
The smoke looks wrong. Too dark for nat gas, unless it it the field itself catching.

Had to go out for a while.  You're right, it is entirely too dark for natural gas.  Of course the vehicle tires will add a little smoke, but that sure seemed like a lot. 

Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: Atomic Cow on November 15, 2013, 12:01:27 am
A drilling rig actually drilled into a natural gas pipeline.
Title: Re: Pipeline Explodes in Milford [Tx], Roads Closed
Post by: SouthTexas on November 15, 2013, 02:23:37 pm
Quote from: Atomic Cow on November 15, 2013, 12:01:27 am
A drilling rig actually drilled into a natural gas pipeline.

That's sort of what I was leaning towards.  All reports were saying it was a pipeline, but there was a (workover?) rig in the middle of the fire.