On Tuesday night, numerous emergency crews and authorities responded to a gas pipeline explosion near the Texas-Oklahoma border.
Videos of the explosion posted by officials show scorching flames rising 500ft into the sky – scorching farm fields and electrical lines in the area.
The explosion was so intense that the flames were visible from a distance, lighting up the night sky and drawing widespread attention. The fire departments from Booker and Elmwood, along with emergency services quickly responded to the scene, maintaining a safe distance until the gas supply could be turned off to control the blaze. The explosion was also visible to locals in Elmwood and Logan in Oklahoma, and Booker, Texas.
According to ABC7, the explosion occurred at NS 154 Rd and EW 29 Rd, near the state border of Beaver County, Oklahoma and Darrouzett, Texas. It was visible over 30 miles away to the public. .
The pipeline is reportedly owned by DCP Midstream, later acquired by Philips 66. A spokesperson from Philips 66 told Newsweek that the blast occurred at 9.15 pm local time Tuesday, and confirmed that the pipeline had been shut down.
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, with preliminary theories suggesting it may have originated in a feeder pipe, eventually leading to the rupture of the main pipeline. The affected sections of the pipeline have been closed, and federal regulatory agencies have been notified. Phillips 66, the parent company of DCP Midstream which operates the Front Range pipeline, emphasized their priority of ensuring the safety and health of workers, emergency responders, and the surrounding community during this incident.
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