Ruptured pipeline causes injuries in San Bernardino

By Kayla Dantley May 12, 2017

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.- An explosion earlier today left multiple residents dead and

others in critical condition.

One body was burned beyond recognition. Seven burn victims were sent to the San

Bernardino County Medical Center this morning.

The explosion occurred at 8:11 a.m. in the neighborhood bounded by Duffy Street and

Highland Avenue. About 700 people have been evacuated to the Red Cross evacuation

center, located at the Jobs Corp Center, 3753 Kerry Street.

David Andries, an official of the Calnev gas company, says a 14-inch gasoline pipeline

that ruptured caused the explosion. Although he is unsure what caused the break, he says

it could have been caused by a freight train that derailed two weeks ago in the same

neighborhood.

We were sitting at the table and we heard this loud noise, and it just started getting

bigger. I ran to the window and looked out and could see nothing but smoke; then we

both hit the flooreverything was burning, even the concrete, said Bill Stewart, an

insurance agent. Stewart was visiting a client, Martha Franklin in a house that borders

Adams Street, which is about a block away from the explosion.

Many residents were shook by the explosion that occurred. It disturbed their entire day

and will have long-term effects on their lives as the explosion destroyed their houses and

all their belongings in the house. It will have long lasting effects on their loved ones who

suffered from the explosion.

I felt my whole house shake. I thought it was an earthquake, said Miretta Brumlow, a

resident who lives near the site of the explosion. I ran to the bedroom and got my

daughter and grandson out, then I started looking for my pets, and then I just had to get

out. I think my cats are still in there. Everything I owned was in that house.

Southern California Gas Company workers were in the neighborhood to shut off any

possibility of natural gas explosion.

According to Theresa Schorder, a Red Cross worker, 30 residents from Duffy and Donald

streets arrived at the Red Cross evacuation center by 10 a.m.

We were assured by the pipeline people it was safe (after the railroad accident) and the

experts who examined it said there was no danger, said San Bernardino City Attorney

Jim Penman.

Some residents said they waited for the explosion too blow over but it did not go away.

The experts had underestimated the on-flowing effects of the railroad accident.
The Calnev pipeline consists of two parallel lines that carry gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel

from Los Angeles, California refineries as far as Nellis Air Force Base south of North Las

Vegas, Nevada. It is a 550-mile buried refined oil products pipeline in the United States

that is owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. The pipeline carries approximately

128,000 barrels per day.

The pipeline was carrying unleaded gasoline, according to Calnev pipeline General

Manager Jed Robinson. He said a valve near the fire may not be completely closed, and

that could influence the time it takes to put out the fire.

Hospital officials say the conditions of the seven burn victims were not available.

However, other people who were admitted were in serious condition with second and

third-degree burns over 15 percent of their body, burns on their hands, and smoke

inhalation.

Residents who suffered from the explosion should seek the Red Cross evacuation center

for treatment, if they have not already done so.

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