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Pipeline operator Colonial has already had five spills in Alabama in 2016. (Photo: Reuters)
Exposing 'Inherent Danger,' Alabama Pipeline Blast Kills One, Injures More
Deadly incident is just the latest in a string of nationwide pipeline leaks and spills
Nov 01, 2016
A major southern gas pipeline exploded Monday afternoon in Alabama, killing one worker and injuring five others.
The explosion occurred in rural Shelby County when a contract crew hit the pipeline with a trackhoe, igniting gasoline, pipeline operator Colonial told Reuters in an e-mailed statement late on Monday. The blast "sent flames and thick black smoke soaring over the forest," the Associated Press reported. The resulting fires consumed 31 acres and continue to burn, according to a statement from the company, which shut down its two mainlines after the explosion.
Local station WBRC cited Gov. Robert Bentley in reporting that "forestry crews have helped set up a three-mile perimeter around the explosion site and authorities are evacuating all civilians within that perimeter."
See footage below from WAFF-48:
And photos were posted on social media:
\u201cColonial Pipeline reports one fatality from the explosion, 5 hospitalized w/burns. Praying for them all this AM-GRB https://t.co/n1FwQqjeE8\u201d— Governor Robert Bentley (@Governor Robert Bentley) 1477997127
A major pipeline explosion in west Shelby County west of Helena. Possibly related to the Colonial Pipeline spill pic.twitter.com/jqWnPxAgZ6
-- Alexander Hansen (@AlexanderXV) October 31, 2016
\u201cNEW IMAGES: 1 dead in Colonial Pipeline explosion https://t.co/SnDGMDFNp5\u201d— WBRC FOX6 News (@WBRC FOX6 News) 1478008928
The explosion happened about five miles west from the site of a recent Colonial Pipeline gasoline leak, as Al.com noted. That September incident, too--the fifth in the state this year--forced Colonial to shut down its lines, making this the second time in as many months that the company has done so.
It is also the latest in a series of pipeline incidents, which come amid intense debate over pipeline safety and fossil fuel infrastructure.
As such, many social media users posted about the explosion along with the hashtag #NoDAPL, indicating their opposition to the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline.
\u201cNow imagine this happening in your water source and you get an idea of why Standing Rock Sioux are #NoDAPL https://t.co/rfitqYxjNq\u201d— Steve (@Steve) 1477983120
\u201cThe Colonial pipeline in Alabama just exploded, injuring at least 7.\n\nTHIS is what #NoDAPL activists worry about.\u201d— Splinter (@Splinter) 1475184532
\u201c#ColonialPipeline explosion underscores the inherent danger of pipelines. Explosions, leaks, spills... that's what pipelines do. #NoDAPL\u201d— Ben Hauck \ud83c\udf39 (@Ben Hauck \ud83c\udf39) 1477956081
"Because pipelines leak, pollute & explode," tweeted one user.
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A major southern gas pipeline exploded Monday afternoon in Alabama, killing one worker and injuring five others.
The explosion occurred in rural Shelby County when a contract crew hit the pipeline with a trackhoe, igniting gasoline, pipeline operator Colonial told Reuters in an e-mailed statement late on Monday. The blast "sent flames and thick black smoke soaring over the forest," the Associated Press reported. The resulting fires consumed 31 acres and continue to burn, according to a statement from the company, which shut down its two mainlines after the explosion.
Local station WBRC cited Gov. Robert Bentley in reporting that "forestry crews have helped set up a three-mile perimeter around the explosion site and authorities are evacuating all civilians within that perimeter."
See footage below from WAFF-48:
And photos were posted on social media:
\u201cColonial Pipeline reports one fatality from the explosion, 5 hospitalized w/burns. Praying for them all this AM-GRB https://t.co/n1FwQqjeE8\u201d— Governor Robert Bentley (@Governor Robert Bentley) 1477997127
A major pipeline explosion in west Shelby County west of Helena. Possibly related to the Colonial Pipeline spill pic.twitter.com/jqWnPxAgZ6
-- Alexander Hansen (@AlexanderXV) October 31, 2016
\u201cNEW IMAGES: 1 dead in Colonial Pipeline explosion https://t.co/SnDGMDFNp5\u201d— WBRC FOX6 News (@WBRC FOX6 News) 1478008928
The explosion happened about five miles west from the site of a recent Colonial Pipeline gasoline leak, as Al.com noted. That September incident, too--the fifth in the state this year--forced Colonial to shut down its lines, making this the second time in as many months that the company has done so.
It is also the latest in a series of pipeline incidents, which come amid intense debate over pipeline safety and fossil fuel infrastructure.
As such, many social media users posted about the explosion along with the hashtag #NoDAPL, indicating their opposition to the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline.
\u201cNow imagine this happening in your water source and you get an idea of why Standing Rock Sioux are #NoDAPL https://t.co/rfitqYxjNq\u201d— Steve (@Steve) 1477983120
\u201cThe Colonial pipeline in Alabama just exploded, injuring at least 7.\n\nTHIS is what #NoDAPL activists worry about.\u201d— Splinter (@Splinter) 1475184532
\u201c#ColonialPipeline explosion underscores the inherent danger of pipelines. Explosions, leaks, spills... that's what pipelines do. #NoDAPL\u201d— Ben Hauck \ud83c\udf39 (@Ben Hauck \ud83c\udf39) 1477956081
"Because pipelines leak, pollute & explode," tweeted one user.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
A major southern gas pipeline exploded Monday afternoon in Alabama, killing one worker and injuring five others.
The explosion occurred in rural Shelby County when a contract crew hit the pipeline with a trackhoe, igniting gasoline, pipeline operator Colonial told Reuters in an e-mailed statement late on Monday. The blast "sent flames and thick black smoke soaring over the forest," the Associated Press reported. The resulting fires consumed 31 acres and continue to burn, according to a statement from the company, which shut down its two mainlines after the explosion.
Local station WBRC cited Gov. Robert Bentley in reporting that "forestry crews have helped set up a three-mile perimeter around the explosion site and authorities are evacuating all civilians within that perimeter."
See footage below from WAFF-48:
And photos were posted on social media:
\u201cColonial Pipeline reports one fatality from the explosion, 5 hospitalized w/burns. Praying for them all this AM-GRB https://t.co/n1FwQqjeE8\u201d— Governor Robert Bentley (@Governor Robert Bentley) 1477997127
A major pipeline explosion in west Shelby County west of Helena. Possibly related to the Colonial Pipeline spill pic.twitter.com/jqWnPxAgZ6
-- Alexander Hansen (@AlexanderXV) October 31, 2016
\u201cNEW IMAGES: 1 dead in Colonial Pipeline explosion https://t.co/SnDGMDFNp5\u201d— WBRC FOX6 News (@WBRC FOX6 News) 1478008928
The explosion happened about five miles west from the site of a recent Colonial Pipeline gasoline leak, as Al.com noted. That September incident, too--the fifth in the state this year--forced Colonial to shut down its lines, making this the second time in as many months that the company has done so.
It is also the latest in a series of pipeline incidents, which come amid intense debate over pipeline safety and fossil fuel infrastructure.
As such, many social media users posted about the explosion along with the hashtag #NoDAPL, indicating their opposition to the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline.
\u201cNow imagine this happening in your water source and you get an idea of why Standing Rock Sioux are #NoDAPL https://t.co/rfitqYxjNq\u201d— Steve (@Steve) 1477983120
\u201cThe Colonial pipeline in Alabama just exploded, injuring at least 7.\n\nTHIS is what #NoDAPL activists worry about.\u201d— Splinter (@Splinter) 1475184532
\u201c#ColonialPipeline explosion underscores the inherent danger of pipelines. Explosions, leaks, spills... that's what pipelines do. #NoDAPL\u201d— Ben Hauck \ud83c\udf39 (@Ben Hauck \ud83c\udf39) 1477956081
"Because pipelines leak, pollute & explode," tweeted one user.
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