BROOKS COUNTY, TEXAS -
POSTED: August 03, 2015
UPDATE: The leak at the Kinder Morgan pipeline was capped.
First responders are on the scene of a natural gas pipeline rupture in the Falfurrias area.
The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office said the pipeline fractured, shortly before 9 p.m. on Monday at Kinder Morgan Inc.
TX-DOT closed East Highway 285 to US 77 in Kleberg County as a precaution. The sheriff’s office said everyone living in a one-mile radius was evacuated.
Officials said there are no injuries, so far.
First responders are still assessing the area.
Around 100 people were evacuated from their homes.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS will continue to follow this story and bring you the latest, as it becomes available.
Statement From Kinder Morgan Corporate Communications Manager Melissa Ruiz:
At approximately 8:31 p.m. Central Time today, Kinder Morgan received notification of a natural gas release on its Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) system east of Falfurrias, Texas, in Brooks County. The company has isolated the impacted portion of the pipeline, and local responders, including the Brooks County Sheriff's Department, are on site. There are no reported injuries or fire.
As a precaution, local authorities have closed Highway 285 and evacuated homes within proximity of the incident. The company is making agency notifications and monitoring the situation.