Gas Leak Explosion heard Miles away

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

A boom from a major gas leak near the Boyd and Lawrence County line could be heard by many residents as far away from the area as Fallsburg.

The call was originally dispatched through Lawrence County 911 system but when first responders arrived it was clear that the explosion and leak was over into Boyd County.

However, Lawrence County Emergency Management Director Travis Hughes and the Fallsburg Fire Department stayed on the scene to assist East Fork Fire Department.

In a statement from energy infrastructure company Kinder Morgan, they said the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company LLC experienced a natural gas released near Catlettsburg at approximately 7:42 p.m., Tuesday, July 7.

“Upon discovery, the company isolated the effected pipeline segment, and local officials evacuated nearby homes. There have been no reported injuries with this event. Appropriate regulatory agencies have been notified, and the cause of the incident is under investigation. The company continues to coordinate closely with local authorities.”

The department released a statement saying incident commanders had a meeting with pipeline operator representatives and air sampling readings were within acceptable limits and the complete evacuation of the mile radius area was cleared for residents to return around 11 p.m.