Explosion and Fire Closes Colonial Pipeline Again

Air Support was dispatched to provide bird's eye view of gas line fire. pic.twitter.com/uHmScvGND9

— Jeff Co Sheriff (@JeffCoSheriff) November 1, 2016

An explosion has claimed the life of a member of a contract crew working on the Colonial Pipeline yesterday. The pipeline is shut down again, but it is currently unknown how long it will be shut down or the impact to the east coast fuel supply situation. The pipeline was shut down for several days in September of this year, resulting in a gas crunch in our region. [Read more]

If the pipeline is shut down long enough to cause a supply shock, please remember to not panic and top off your tank every time you see a gas station with fuel. Just fill up as you normally would, and that will help minimize any inconvenience to refueling your vehicles.

Stunning view of Colonial pipeline explosion fire from @AlabasterFire. God bless the first responders on this scene. pic.twitter.com/im0hnzQJr8

— Beth Shelburne (@bshelburne) October 31, 2016

PRESS RELEASE
Colonial Pipeline

Shortly before 3:00 pm EDT on October 31st, a contract crew working on Colonial’s gasoline pipeline (Line 1) in Shelby Co., Alabama, experienced an incident when the trackhoe it was using hit the line. Gasoline was ignited and caused a fire, which continues to burn.

Five individuals were transported to Birmingham-area hospitals for treatment, and there was one fatality recorded at the scene. Our deepest condolences go out tonight to the family and friends of the person who was lost today, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured.

The Alabama Forestry Commission and Shelby County emergency responders, supplemented by mutual aid from surrounding counties, responded to the incident site immediately, and we wish to extend our thanks and appreciation for their continued service and efforts.

After the incident occurred, Colonial shut down its two mainlines, which traverse Shelby County. Those lines remain down at this hour.

The incident location is several miles from the site of a Sept. 9 spill in Shelby County.

---END PRESS RELEASE---

CROWD FUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.


You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at >> https://www.patreon.com/MaconMedia