An explosion took place yesterday evening on the Tennessee Gas Pipeline in Clermont.
Initial reports of a “large wildfire” on Wilcox Road started coming in around 5:30 in the afternoon, and fire departments were dispatched from Clermont, Hamlin Township, Norwich, Eldred, Mount Jewett, and Smethport.
Official confirmation of the explosion came in a release from County Public Information Officer Pam Burlingame at 7:48 in the evening, stating that County Commissioner Tom Kreiner had arrived on the scene, reported that the fire had been brought under control and that there had been no injuries.
At this point, no word has been released on the cause of the explosion or the amount of damage done.
The pipeline’s owner, Kinder Morgan, could not be reached for comment and the company has disconnected their media relations telephone extension.
This is a developing story; more information as it becomes available.
Photos courtesy Wendy Bradshaw