Pipeline explosion kills three, injures several others

Apr ,2017
BY Michal Antonov

SAN BERNADINO, Ca - There was a pipeline explosion at 8:11 a.m. between

Duffy Street and Highland Avenue The explosion was caused by a 14-inch
gasoline pipeline that ruptured.

Two people have died in a home in Duffy Street. One body was burned
beyond recognition, and officials believe that the other one is male.
Firefighters are looking for a third victim in the home.

Seven burn victims were admitted to the San Bernadino County Medical
Center. There have been no updates on their conditions.

Tina Blackburn was admitted with second- and third-degree burns over 15
percent of her body and is in serious condition. Michael Howard has burns on
his hands, Janet Howard has third-degree burns, and their two children are
being treated for smoke inhalation. Diane Tucker was treated for minor cuts.

Many gave their accounts of the scene. Robbie Brown ran out of her house
when the explosion happened. Unfortunately, her relatives Keesha Jefferson,
Charlene Jefferson and Charlenes baby were still in the house.

She actually said her house blew up behind her as she came out. The house
is gone. If anybody was in there, they went with it, said Phil Arviso, a council
aid.

Bill Stewart, an insurance agent, was visiting a client in the neighborhood. He

said that when he left the house the grass and the concrete were burning.

I felt my whole house shake, said Miretta Brumlow, a resident near the site
of the explosion. I thought it was an earthquake. Then I looked out and I saw
the fire and just started crying. I ran to the bedroom and got my daughter
and my 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 own was in that
house.

About 700 people have been evacuated to the Red Cross evacuation center
that has been set up at the Job Corps Center on 3753 Kerry St. Two vans and
a bus are still being used for evacuation.

Speculations have been made as to what couldve caused the explosion. The
incident occurred in the same neighborhood where a 69-car runaway freight
train derailed about two weeks ago. David Andries, an official of the Calnev
gas company, said that the company doesnt know what caused the break,
but that it couldve been the train.

We were assured by the pipeline people it was safe [after the railroad
incident] and the experts who examined it said there was no danger, said
San Bernadino City Attorney Jim Penman.

-more-
The Calnev Pipeline is owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. There are
two parallel lines, and they carry gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel from Los
Angeles refineries to as far as Nellis Air Force Base near North Las Vegas.
Calnev pipeline General Manager Jed Robinson said a valve near the fire may
not be completely closed, and that could influence the time it takes to put
out the fire. He said that when theres a lot of fuel, the usual practice is to
contain it and try to let it burn out.

In the meantime, Southern California Gas Co. workers are in the

neighborhood to shut off gas lines to avoid any possibility of a natural gas
explosion.

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