Louisiana - Interstate 20 shut down because of pipeline fire

ksla.com ^ | December 14, 2007

[southlake_hoosier]

Man dies after NiSource gas pipeline explodes in Louisiana
Monday, December 17, 2007 10:24 AM CST

By The Times

A motorist in Louisiana was killed when a large natural gas pipeline owned by NiSource Inc. exploded along Interstate 20 near Delhi, La.

Corbin Fawcett, 47, of Haleyville, Ala., was driving in a 1985 Chevrolet pickup truck when a section of the Columbia Gulf natural gas pipeline exploded at 1 p.m. Friday and the vehicle crashed, according to Louisiana State Police. A passenger sustained minor injuries.

The westbound lanes of I-20 were closed for about five hours and eastbound lanes for about eight hours by the blast, according to state police. The Columbia Gulf pipeline runs 4,200 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Southeast, Midwest and East.

NiSource Inc. is headquartered in Merrillville and also owns NIPSCO, Indiana’s largest utility. NIPSCO gas supplies were not affected by the incident.

[mysterio]

Prayers for Corbin and family.

[girlangler]

Thanks for sharing the info and photos.

I have a lot of family members in the Lake Charles area (lived there myself several years). I have traveled that same area often, will be this coming spring.

Am glad you are safe, that was really close!!!! Freepers are wonderful, this is where I go for breaking news.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

You're mighty welcome ... be safe on your visit.

I didn't start a thread or anything after the explosion, but that night I found this thread and posted the photos. Yesterday (Sunday), all of the local churches sent up earnest prayers for the family of Mr. Fawcett and his passenger. It was truly a miracle that there were no more injuries than there were, considering the traffic load carried by I-20.

My family was so fortunate because we spend alot of time out on our land, and the explosion was only 150 yards or so from a favorite fishing spot and less than 200 yards from a tree stand that we hunt from.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Mama Bear,

I take full responsibility for posting the photos and I mentioned that a few trees were down in the aftermath of the explosion. I assure you that there were no ill intentions in any of the remarks made on this thread. SE Mom was expressing concern as to how I and my family were, and I was simply letting her know the damages we sustained, which were not anything like what Mr. Fawcett's family must deal with.

My sincere condolences to you and your children, as well as the children's stepmother. If there is absolutely anything that I and my family can do for your and/or your family, please use the "private reply" link under this message and let me know what you need.

In fact, there are many, many folks here in the little town on Delhi that would be more than eager to assist Mr. Fawcett's family in any way possible.

[najida]

That is fabulous and scary all at once!

[najida]

Welcome to FR!

[JustaDumbBlonde]

It was indeed frightening. Even though the fireball was about 3/4 of a mile from my back porch, I could feel intense heat on my face as I was taking the photos. It was also very odd that I was looking out the window at the precise moment of the explosion and saw the whole event.

The other thing that was absolutely surreal is that approximately 8-10 minutes after the blast, what we thought was sleet started to fall from the sky. It had been overcast all day and some precipitation would not have been out of place. However, we quickly noticed there was no moisture. What was falling were tiny pieces of baked soil that had been sent skyward by the initial blast. And remember, this was almost 10 minutes later! How high that must have been blown into the air.

[yorkie]

Oh, my dear mama bear. I am so very sorry for your children’s loss........it is a horrible accident. I am praying for Our Father to somehow give them (and their step-mother) strength to get through this day, tomorrow, and the months to come. My prayers also for the man who was seriously burned, and his family.

I am so saddened by this. ~yorkie

[najida]

WOW!
That is just amazing!

[nicmarlo]

So very sorry to hear of your loss. May God bring comfort to you and your family. Prayers up for you all.

[pandoraou812]

Prayers ....Pandora

[counrtygirl71232]

That was a fearful day for me as well. My house is about a third of a mile from the blast. I live on the pipeline just south of the interstate. I didn't even no if my house was on fire or not. I could see the fire flame down my way. I had to cut through a neighbor land owners woods by 4 wheeler. I was blessed that my boys were at school. All I could think about was getting my horses, dogs and guns and head south. The fire stopped about 75 yards from my house. I had two horses hurt. I had gravel and and pavement on my house. The ceiling is cracked. But you can replace all the material things but not lives. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAWCETT FAMILY. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THEM.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Hey! Thanks for letting me know that you are okay and I hope that the horses make a full recovery. We were wondering whether or not you and your family were home and how things went after the explosion. We are in Montana for Christmas, but if we can do anything to help you get back to normal after the 1st, don’t hesitate to call.

[sassydoc4u]

Thank you for your concern. Please continue to keep our family in prayer as we are grieving the loss of Corbin. Sassydoc4u