Early Pipeline Reports

Nov 29, 2007 19:15

The Clearwater County Sheriff's Office said the fire was reported about 3:50 p.m. Thursaday, November 29, 2007.

"The bodies of the two workers have been recovered, according to Kristine Chapin of the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety.The Clearwater County Sheriff's Department said emergency workers were responding to the scene of the Enbridge Energy explosion, which was reported at 3:51 p.m.

The blast and oil spill appeared to be self-contained and the ensuing fire was expected to burn itself out, according to the sheriff's department. The fire was expected to burn through the night.

Tom Burford, the editor of the Farmers Independent newspaper in Bagley said he was recently near the fire scene. He reports that roads were blocked and he was able to get about ¼ mile away from the explosion. Burford said he saw a "huge billowing" plumes of smoke and fire. Residents within close proximity have been evacuated.."

Comments one blogger, "Crude oil has a flash point of roughly 250C and has to be misted to even burn and be ignited by spark. The amount spilled, once ignited by whatever means would erupt in a wall of smoke and flames as the flame front spread immediately across the pool. There should be no shockwave, no noise at distance and no impact damage as a result of the hugh whoosh."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932092/posts
http://wcco.com/local/pipeline.explosion.northern.2.598268.html
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1580513.html