A large gas explosion was reported in Weld County Thursday afternoon. 9NEWS at 4 p.m. 08/06/15. KUSA
Janet Oravetz, KUSA 7:40 p.m. MDT August 6, 2015
(Photo: SKY9)
A worker digging a trench on a northern Colorado ranch hit a high-pressure gas line, sparking an explosion that sent flames several hundred feet into the air and touched off a small grass fire.
Sean Standridge, a spokesman for the Weld County Sheriff's Office, tells The Greeley Tribune an employee for DCP Midstream hit the 12-inch gas line at the Wells Ranch east of Lucerne on Thursday afternoon. The worker was not injured, but the trenching machine was destroyed.
Fire crews recommended that residents within a 2-mile radius of the fire leave their homes. The fire is in an area with few homes.
PDC Energy and DCP Midstream officials were at the scene Thursday.
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WELD COUNTY - A large gas explosion was reported in Weld County just after 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon on 70 Ranch near Highway 392 and Weld County Road 68 northeast of Greeley.
Officials say there were no deaths or injuries related to the explosion and fire. Williams, the company that operates the pipeline, says a 6-inch natural gas pipeline was struck by a third-party doing excavation work in the area. When it was hit, the pipeline ruptured and sparked a fire.
Platte Valley Fire says they were evacuating a 2 to 3 mile radius around the fire because they're were not sure whether the gas had been turned off. Those evacuation orders have been lifted. Williams says all valves have been closed.
Weld County explosion raw video. WEB extra. 9NEWS.com 08/06/15
Williams personnel and local emergency response agencies are at the site monitoring the situation. They say site has been secured.Deputies with the Weld County Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene around 3 p.m. Platte Valley Fire also responded to the scene. Firefighters were working to protect property in the area.