Officials Assessing Damage Following Gas Line Explosion
SALEM TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- It's been more than 24 hours since a 30-inch gas line exploded in Salem Township.
A massive ball of fire shot into the sky, fueled by the ruptured gas line in a Westmoreland County pasture. Saturday, the flames were out but concern remained.
"We still have a potentially dangerous situation down there," Chief Bob Rosatti with the Forbes Road Volunteer Fire Department said.
Security officers were posted near the blast site to prevent people from getting too close to a situation that emergency management officials still can't approach.
"We're still at the same point as we were yesterday we still have gas in the line," Rosatti said. "It's gonna take a while to draw the gas down."
Spectra Energy officials were on scene Saturday, assessing damage, some of it up to half a mile from point of ignition.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual who was injured and his family and we're deeply sorry," representative Phil West said. "We're here to help any way we can with all those affected we have claims adjusters on scene meeting with home owners."
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
Route 819 will remain closed for several days. Finding out what caused the destruction will likely take longer.
"We don't have any indication of cause, that's what the investigation will determine. The Department of Transportation is handling that part of the investigation and were here to assist in that investigation," West said.
The victim injured in the explosion remains in Mercy Hospital's burn unit his name and condition not being released.
