Defective welding was the cause of a natural gas pipeline explosion in Fleming County in 2020.
A report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the Fleming County pipeline ruptured on May 5, 2020, causing a fire that burned about five acres of vegetation near Hillsboro, according to the Associated Press. NTSB investigators found two weak spots on a pipeline weld at the site of the explosion.
The property damage and emergency response cost about $12 million. No injuries occurred due to the explosion.
The Fleming County pipeline explosion followed a massive, deadly natural gas pipeline explosion in Lincoln County.
The Lincoln County explosion occurred in late July 2019 in the Moreland community, about five miles north of Hustonville, near Hwy 127. Flames reached up to 300 feet in the air, according to officials.
Killed in the explosion was 58-year-old Lisa D. Derringer. Five people were injured when the explosion caused multiple fires in a nearby subdivision. Five homes were destroyed, and several others damaged. Nearly 100 people were evacuated. The ensuing fire burned about 30 acres of land.
Both pipelines are owned by Enbridge, a Canadian energy transportation company based in Calgary, Alberta.
(Photo: Pipeline explosion Fleming County)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
