The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has released the following update to the gas fire in Salem Twp., Westmoreland County, that took place on the morning of April 29, 2016.
The details of the event are as follows:
- At approximately 0830, a natural gas pipeline ruptured, causing a fire; the cause of this fire is will be investigated by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- At 0922 the pipeline was shut off, however residual gases are expected to burn for several hours and a one-quarter (1/4) mile evacuation is in effect until further notice
- The pipeline is operated by Spectra Energy (originally Texas Eastern Transmission)
- There are four (4) pipelines in the right-of-way; at this time it is unknown which of the pipelines is associated with the fire or the condition of the lines, but all have been de-pressurized
- There is a natural gas injection well operated by Dominion on-site for storage reservoir observation purposes; it has been shut in and a mechanical integrity assessment will need to be conducted prior to placing the well back in service. DEP Oil & Gas staff are on-site
- DEP staff are on-site monitoring air quality