Las Vegas Fuel Pipeline Bursts

Nov. 22, 2004
8 Eyewitness News

Workers are trying to repair the only pipeline that brings gasoline into southern Nevada. That pipeline break shut down I-15 for several hours Monday morning and caused residents near Baker to be evacuated.

It was a mess for drivers traveling between southern Nevada and California. It was California Highway Patrol officers who first noticed a strong odor and called for the closure of the freeway.

Residents who live around Rasor Road near Baker were evacuated. The area is sparsely populated. There were no reports of injury.

A 50 to 60-foot gasoline vapor geyser could be seen coming from the Houston-based Kinder Morgan pipeline. Workers have clamped off a five-mile stretch of pipeline as they attempt to remove gasoline in that section of pipeline.

The pipeline, which runs parallel to an eight-inch line, runs from Colton and provides fuel to Barstow and Las Vegas.

Air had to be tested before any traffic could be allowed through to make sure no there was not an explosive atmosphere. the cause of the rupture is unknown.

Authorities say Mother Nature helped in this situation. They say the rain and cold temperatures helped keep the toxic cloud from spreading.

It's expected to take a day or two for the repairs to be made. The closure of the pipeline is not expected to affect the fuel supply in Las Vegas.

This is the second time the pipeline has broke in as many months.

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