A Sedalia explosion due to a ruptured natural gas pipeline alarmed nearby citizens in Houstonia, Mo. after disturbing tremors were felt and when several buildings caught fire before Thursday midnight, KMOV reported Friday.
According to several reports, the 30-inch pipeline that caused the Sedalia explosion was owned by the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. and Captain Donald Sattler of the Sedalia Fire Department said that an explosion was heard at approximately 1 a.m. EST.
Eye witnesses revealed that aside from the alarming tremors they felt in the area, they saw the blaze shot flames about hundreds of feet into the sky. Fortunately, no one was reportedly injured from the unexpected Sedalia explosion in Hughesville, which is home to a few hundred people.
Houstonia resident Kathy Schneider told News 4's Mike Colombo, "We just saw this huge 300 foot wide ball of flames roaring. We heard things pinging against the house. We don't know if we were going to have a home to come back to."
The blaze was visible up to 30 miles away, Fox reported. Meanwhile a Sedalia Fire Department spokesman told Mail Online that it was very fortunate that the explosion "occurred in a field and no one was hurt."
Evacuations were requested by officials for citizens within the five mile area surrounding the area of the explosion. The evacuations took place while responders were reportedly attempting to shut the natural gas valve and extinguish the fire.
As of late investigation is underway to determine the real cause behind the gas pipeline rupture that led to the Sedalia explosion.
In 2008, the Eastern Pipeline Company also experienced a similar incident when a pipeline west of Pilot Groove, Missouri exploded. It was found out through an investigation that the explosion was due to the thinning of the pipeline wall because of external erosion.
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