Earth Changes and the Pole Shift
Explosions on the rise
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An oil field exploded in Basra Iraq [Iraq Oil Report ; Published September 20, 2011]; Comment by Starr DiGiacomo
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List of comment about gas explosion, in order of posted time; as of 2011-09-01
1) SOMERVILLE, Ohio, US; "Investigation continues in house collapse"
2) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. US; "Bakersfield resident hurt in natural gas explosion"
3) Pompton Lakes, NJ, US; "Update: Suspected gas explosion levels home in Pompton Lakes [raw video]"
4) Brantford, Ontario, Canada; "Natural gas explosion levelled Brantford house: fire marshal"
5) Warren, MI, US; "City of Warren Home Explosion Underscores Need for Natural Gas Safety"
6) Castleford, West Yorkshire, UK; "Dramatic footage shows huge gas explosion at Yorkshire home"
7) Warren Park, Harare, Zimbabwe; "2 seriously injured in Warren Park gas explosion"
8) Logan City, south of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia; "Seven children killed in gas explosion at house"
9) Herscher, IL, US; Douglasville, GA, US; "This Week In Natural Gas Leaks and Explosions – Aug. 22, 2011"
10) "Seven children killed in gas explosion at house" [See 8)]
11) Lakeview, MI, US; "Explosion inside Lakeview house causes fire, couple escapes with minor injuries"
12) Newborough, Victoria, Australia; "Gas blast destroys Newborough garage"
13) Cato, Montcalm, MI, US; "Couple escapes house explosion"
14) Glenrock, Converse, WY, US; "Oilfield explosion claims three"
15) St. Augustine, Fla, US; "Gas Station Explosion Site in St. Augustine now 'Stable'"
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* Comment by Starr DiGiacomo
We'll be seeing an uptick in unusual home and business gas explosions and I'm trying to locate specific ZT on the matter. Below is a refresher for the many gas related news articles.
http://zetatalk5.com/index/blog0214.htm
SOZT
Fault lines, when adjusting, do not just rip apart one day during a dramatic earthquake. They most often creep. Laying gas lines along or across a fault line is asking for an accident of this sort. Fault lines are also seldom so clearly delineated that one can go a mile in this or that direction and avoid their action. Where a slip-slide fault such as the San Andreas will often leave a clear line on the surface, this is only the surface action, not what occurs in the rock layers on either side which can fracture for a long way to either side during any movement. The gas company, or the age of the pipes, will be faulted but in truth the finger should be pointed in many directions. The public, who insist on living at such a scenic spot, is to blame. Officials, who zoned for housing are to blame. The public utility company, for allowing gas lines in the area, is to blame. But this will change nothing, while man continues to live on the San Andreas, even as it awakens. EOZT
http://www.zetatalk5.com/ning/18sp2010.htm
SOZT
The danger from radon gas will not be increased as a result of the pole shift. Radon gas is emitted by rock containing uranium, which is degrading. In normal circumstances, where air can circulate, it is disbursed rapidly as is any methane created by decay of organic material. The danger from these gasses comes from confinement - being trapped in a mine, a basement, or beneath the permafrost. The dangers are well known. For methane, it is explosions. An accumulation of methane gas can be identified by the smell of rotten eggs, or as some have described it, dirty socks or cabbage soup. For radon gas the danger is lung cancer, from the continual exposure to the radioactive air. Radon gas is odorless, and cannot be detected except by specialized equipment not in the hands of the average person.
In that the pole shift, or the Earth changes preceding the pole shift, can fracture rock and release pockets of either gas, survivors should be cautious about huddling in bunkers. You are safer out in the open air, or in a trench you have dug that will allow the pole shift winds to pass over you, but nothing to fall on and crush you. The fact that both methane gas and radon gas can accumulate in the bunkers of the elite is one of the reasons we have stated that they have dug their own graves. EOZT
http://www.zetatalk5.com/ning/12mr2011.htm
* Comment by Starr DiGiacomo
SOZT
Anyone watching the news, for instance the news on the San Bruno explosion in a distribution line close to the San Andreas Fault line, knows that gas in any form is a danger. Oil and gas refineries explode when rigid piping cracks. Oil or gas wells explode when the ground around them moves. And the gas distribution lines running under cities are no exception. They likewise will explode. Gas lines, whether along the street or within a home, are rigid. In some cases automatic shutoff valves can limit the amount of gas available for an explosion by sensing a drop in pressure, but this is always after the fact. The explosion has already occurred. Utilizing gas on a planet prone to earthquakes was a mistake to begin with, but man never thinks of the consequences when striving for modern conveniences. We have advised turning off the gas at the street, though when the street explodes and your neighbor's homes are on fire you are not likely to escape the holocaust. A better alternative is to live in an area where gas is not available, as in your rural safe location where you will be doing a form of camping while gardening. A campfire at night, for cooking and washing and a bit of friendly light before bed. Nothing explosive. EOZT
http://www.zetatalk5.com/ning/02oc2010.htm
* Comment by Starr DiGiacomo
SOZT Answer: It is no accident that the New Madrid fault lies under the Mississippi River near Memphis, as rivers form in lowlands created when land pulls apart, separating the rock fingers and weakening support for the land. Thus, the Ohio River bed also is an indication of where rock fingers will pull apart. Two adjustments in Kentucky, a day apart, are not an accident, but an indication of the speed at which the stretch zone is starting to adjust. Rail lines are frequently an early harbinger of such adjustments, as they run long distances, whereas structures within cities, such as tall buildings, take up relatively little space and have a small footprint. Our warning that imploding cities will be experienced, before the hour of the shift, are in this regard. Be warmed, it will not just be your rail lines and gas and water mains that will shatter and be pulled apart during the stretch. The foundations of your tall buildings will likewise be vulnerable.EOZT
http://www.zetatalk5.com/newsletr/issue008.htm
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[Original post on January 20, 2011]
Original title: Gas explosion kills 1, injures 5 in Philadelphia
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/19/pennsylvania.gas.explosion/index.html?iref=allsearch
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The explosion occurred in Philadelphia's Tacony neighborhood
- The blast killed one utilities worker and injured five other people
- Some of the injuries are serious
(CNN) -- A gas main explosion in Philadelphia Tuesday evening killed one utilities worker and injured five other people, a fire department official said.
Philadelphia Gas Works employees were responding to a gas main break in the city's Tacony neighborhood when the explosion occurred, fire department spokesman Jim Smith said.
"They were trying to control it and found a source of ignition," according to Smith, who said four PGW employees and a firefighter were among the injured. He said some of the gas workers' injuries were serious.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/natural-gas-explosion-philadelphia-12668634
http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/caught-on-tape-gas-main-explodes-12645405
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/07/02/dozens-evacuated-after-ma...
Dozens evacuated after massive explosions at local supermarket in North Western France
sidents were suddenly awakened in the middle of the night in Plancoet, in north western France by a series of huge explosions coming from a nearby supermarket, which destroyed properties, blew out windows and had the authorities scrambling to evacuate the area, whilst trying to contain the enormous blaze.
Approximately 40 firefighters were in attendance in minutes, from the town’s service and local villages to attend to the blaze which started at 02.38am local time at the ‘Hyper U’ store in the town.
Exploded gas bottles were hurled over 50 metres, and in the vicinity there was a huge worry for firefighters as there is a large LPG, (liquid petroleum gas), tank nearby which had it exploded would have wreaked havoc
Fifty-five people were evacuated from their homes as the gas bottles continued to explode, these could become missiles, and cause more devastation.
Hampering their efforts further was the risk of additional gas cylinders exploding and becoming improvised missiles, forcing firefighters to keep their distance and rely on water cannons to tame the blaze.
Thursday morning’s fire is the largest of 15 blazes to occur in the town in the last three months. Mayor Patrick Barrault declined to comment on the possibility that a serial arsonist was to blame for the recent spate of fires, citing an ongoing investigation.
Thankfully nobody was injured in the incident, and at the moment there is no knowledge of how much the damage will cost to repair
and another:
https://www.wesh.com/article/worker-injured-in-explosion-at-titusvi...
Worker injured in explosion at Titusville factory making hand sanitizer
Updated: 4:40 PM EDT Jul 16, 2020
TITUSVILLE, Fla. —
An explosion at a factory that makes hand sanitizer in Titusville sent one worker to the hospital with significant burns Thursday.
The state fire marshal is investigating what caused the explosion.
The fire department rushed to the scene after a phone call reporting several injuries from an explosion.
Firefighters found one person injured amid some debris inside a hand sanitizer-making business.
“There’s mild evidence of a percussion or some sort of, I don’t know if you want to say explosion, but visible damage around the area — nothing significant,” Battalion Chief Greg Sutton said.
Sutton says the victim’s burns were significant, and covered a large part of the victim’s upper body. The worker was flown to a hospital. The business, Ocean Potion, is located on Chaffee Drive across from the Astrotech satellite-processing plant.
Ocean Potion is a brand of sunscreen, but firefighters say the plant was turning out hand sanitizer, made with a flammable ingredient.
“Certainly, there is some alcohol base to hand sanitizer, but that’s what’s going to come out in the investigation. What work was going on in the area and what product may have caused that,” Sutton said.
Officials are looking into whether they were producing the hand sanitizer legally.
No one at the business was available to answer our questions.
and another:
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article244280122.html
No injuries after explosion rocks NW Indiana steel mill
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A fiery explosion that rocked a northwestern Indiana steel mill early Thursday was caused by equipment failure at one of the plant's blast furnaces, a company official said.
ArcelorMittal spokesman William Steers said no one was injured and the resulting fire was contained and extinguished at the company’s Burns Harbor mill along Lake Michigan.
He said the fire was caused by a stove dome failure, and the furnace was taken safely offline at the complex, located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Chicago.
“We are creating a timeline for repairs and the company does not anticipate any impact on our ability to meet customer demand,” Steers said.
A video posted to social media showed that the explosion at Blast Furnace D showered the mill with shrapnel from big chunks of burning hot white refractory, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.
Refractory is the interior lining that protects the blast furnace shell from super-heated temperatures within during the steelmaking process
Burns Harbor Fire Chief William Arney said his department and the Porter Fire Department assisted ArcelorMittal's internal fire department in dousing the flames following the explosion and fire.
“The cause of the fire/explosion is still under investigation," Arney said.
Jul 19, 2020
M. Difato
Explosion hits power plant in Iran's Isfahan, no casualties reported
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/689021-explosion-hits-power-plant...
TEHRAN: An explosion hit a power plant in the central Iranian province of Isfahan on Sunday (July 19), state news agency IRNA reported, saying it was over faulty equipment and caused no casualties.
A "worn out transformer... at Isfahan's Islamabad thermal power plant exploded at around 5:00 am today," the managing director of Isfahan's electricity company Said Mohseni told the agency.
The facility returned to normal working conditions after about two hours and Isfahan's power supply was uninterrupted, he added.
The incident is the latest in a string of fires and explosions at military and civilian sites across Iran in recent weeks.
Two explosions rocked Tehran in late June, one near a military site and the other in a health centre, the latter killing 19 people.
Fires or blasts also hit a shipyard in southern Iran last week, a factory south of Tehran with two dead and the Natanz nuclear complex in central Iran earlier this month.
Iranian authorities called the Natanz fire an accident without elaborating and later said they would not reveal the cause, citing "security reasons"..."
Jul 20, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/explosion-at-pattaya-crematorium-i...
Explosion at Pattaya crematorium injures 2
July 25 2020
Two people were hurt when a gas leak resulted in an explosion at a Pattaya temple crematorium.
Rath Changpradit, 74, suffered extensive burns covering his entire body and a blow to the face, while an assistant identified as Wanchai, 63, also sustained serious burns.
The explosion occurred at the end of a funeral at Banglamung Temple as the two brothers prepared the body for cremation. The explosion damaged the building, with cracks appearing in its external walls.
The body that had been set for cremation was moved to Chonglom Temple and Banglamung Temple’s facility was closed pending inspection and repairs.
Jul 25, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://naijasuperfans.com/five-people-feared-dead-after-gas-explos...
Gas explosion claims 2 lives, destroys 9 shops in Lagos – LASEMA
Five people feared dead after gas explosion at Ajao Estate, Lagos. (Graphic pictures)
Five people have reportedly died as a result of a gas explosion in Ajao Estate area of Lagos which just five kilometers away from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
The incident, according to reports happened at a gas refill shop yesterday evening. From the pictures available, not only were lives lost but some properties were also destroyed as a result of the explosion.
Jul 30, 2020
jorge namour
MORE FIRES EXPLOSIONS
Fire breaks out at the Al-Haramain Train Station in the Saudi city of Jeddah SAUDI ARABIA
AUGUST 6 2020
https://www.facebook.com/%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- IRAN Mysterious fires continue .. fires devour a factory in Tehran (video) https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_publicaffairs/details/2020/8/6/18... A fire broke out at dawn on Thursday in a livestock and poultry factory in the Tehran district of Tehran, in the latest chapters of the series of mysterious fires that have hit Iran for weeks. a large-scale operation is underway to contain the fire, but the fire is expanding and extending to the outskirts, and that firefighters and rescue personnel are present at the site, according to Al Arabiya news channel. This comes two days after another fire broke out in an industrial area near the capital, Tehran. Iranian television reported - at the time - that a fire broke out in the industrial area of the Jagrod district of Bardis district on Tuesday morning.
Aug 7, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2020/08/07/pipeline-explodes-roads-c...
Pipeline Explodes, Roads Collapse After Flooding in Yulin, China
A natural gas pipeline exploded in China’s north-central city of Yulin on Wednesday. Authorities blame the blast on recent flooding in the region and have issued a warning to area citizens to expect more heavy rains in the coming days.
In addition to the pipeline explosion, several roads collapsed this week because of flooding in and around Yulin, located in China’s Shaanxi province. No casualties have been reported in connection with the pipeline blast, but regional authorities have evacuated roughly 600 people from the Yulin area as a result of the infrastructure damage caused by the explosion and road collapses, the South China Morning Post reported Wednesday.
“It happened at around 1:40 AM. We were sleeping,” local resident Ma Yongping told the state-controlled broadcaster, China Central Television (CCTV), of the pipeline explosion.
“We were woken up by the blast, which was so loud. I went out to check what happened. When I stepped out of my home, I realized it was a natural gas pipeline that exploded,” Ma said.
Yulin borders China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north, which in recent months has suffered from severe droughts; approximately 45 percent of the region was affected as of June. In China’s south and interior, torrential rains have caused historic flooding in recent weeks. The overnight transition from one climate extreme to another proved too much for Yulin this week, whose faulty infrastructure was poorly equipped to withstand the flooding.
Typhoon Hagupit made landfall in east China on Tuesday, further complicating the environmental crisis. Since early June, torrential rains in southern China have flooded the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, one of the world’s largest. As of mid-July, 433 Yangtze tributaries were flooded. An estimated 55 million people living in communities along the Yangtze’s nearly 4,000-mile path have been affected by the flooding, and at least 56 people have died.
China’s Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, is located on the Yangtze. The dam is at risk of collapsing because of the extreme flooding and has “moved, leaked, and distorted,” Chinese state media reported in late July. The admission was a rare instance of Beijing revealing the extent of the flooding’s damage, as it has otherwise insisted that the floods are under control and that the dam’s structure was sound.
In an effort to relieve pressure on the strained dam, Chinese officials have been opening the Three Gorges’ floodgates, sacrificing lesser dams along the Yangtze and purposefully flooding communities located along the river.
Aug 9, 2020
Juan F Martinez
BALTIMORE, MD — A "major gas explosion" rocked northwest Baltimore on Monday morning, killing at least one person and leaving several others trapped or injured, local fire officials said.
Baltimore City Fire Department said in a Facebook post that at least three homes were involved in the gas explosion that killed at least one woman. At least two occupants had also been transported to the hospital in serious condition, the department said.
According to the city's local fire union, at least five people, including children, had been trapped but three were rescued as of 10:30 a.m. as search operations continued.
"This is a major incident," the IAFF Local 734 said in a tweet. Officials with Baltimore County Fire, the city's emergency management office and Baltimore Gas and Electric were also responding, the union said.
Linda Foy, a spokeswoman for Baltimore Gas and Electric, told USA TODAY that crews received a call from Baltimore's fire department just before 10 a.m. Monday and were working to turn off gas to other buildings in the immediate area.
Photos from the scene showed the rubble of the collapsed structures next to other row houses.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/10/baltimore-exp...
Aug 10, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2020/08/08/breaking-news-massive-exp...
BREAKING NEWS: Massive Explosion near Brighton Reported
8 August 2020 @ 12:07
Reports are flooding in of a massive explosion at Newhaven port near Brighton.
A huge fire has broken out in East Sussex with massive thick clouds of smoke that can be seen for miles. Fire and rescue crews were called at around 9.30 am today to reports of a blaze in Newhaven. Officials say an industrial building was found alight and has since been evacuated. The fire is not far from Newhaven Harbour railway station.
A large cloud of black smoke can be seen billowing into the air from as far away as Lancing, it has been reported. One person, who could see the smoke from near Hove Lawns, said: “The smoke cloud is absolutely massive.
“I don’t know what is going on but it looks like an explosion.”
The fire still rages on but so far seems unstoppable. Police and emergency services are on scene and waiting for the fire to extinguished so they begin forensic tests.
and another:
https://interestingengineering.com/explosion-in-east-chinas-shandon...
Explosion in East China's Shandong Province Kills Two and Injures Many
Preliminary investigations reveal the explosion may have resulted from damaged electrical wires.
August 15, 2020
An explosion took place in Jining of East China’s Shandong Province on Saturday at 9:30AM (GMT +8) that saw two people killed and many injured, reports the Global Times.
RELATED: PORT NECHES TEXAS RESIDENTS FORCED TO EVACUATE AFTER PLANT EXPLOSION
A video of the explosion shared on Twitter showed a huge mushroom over buildings and some destruction on the street. The explosion is said to have taken place at an agricultural storage site.
An early investigation revealed that locals may have accidentally damaged electric wires during woodcutting. This unfortunate accident led to a fire that then triggered the explosion.
“I heard a sudden explosive sound around 9:30. The strong explosion shattered all windows of my house. It's like an earthquake. Ceilings of residential houses in the county have collapsed," a local resident in Shandong's Mamiao county told the Global Times. The resident added that local police have sequestered the area.
A hotel owner from an establishment that is less than 1640 feet (500 meters) from the explosion told the Global Times that there were two explosions. These took place about a minute apart. However, local authorities did not report two explosions.
The hotel owner also added that, at first, she thought there may be an earthquake as the whole building shook. It was only after seeing smoke outside and hearing the second blast that she realized it was an explosion.
She described that windows of stores shattered and many roofs collapsed. She also reported that emergency rescue personnel provided food and accommodation to those affected by the explosion
Aug 15, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/joliet-house-explodes-washington-...
House Explodes On Washington Street In Joliet
"It was like a nuclear bomb. I literally thought that I would go outside and the whole world would be gone," a neighbor said.
Updated Aug 17, 2020 8:59 am CT
JOLIET, IL — One woman was seriously injured and two other people were taken to the hospital following a house explosion on Joliet's east side Sunday afternoon. The house that exploded is in the 2100 block of East Washington Street in the Ingalls Park area. An older couple lived at the house, and both were outside when the house exploded, neighbors told Joliet Patch.
Sara Glim told Patch that several of her windows were broken as a result of the explosion two doors away at her neighbor's property. Glim said she was sitting on her couch when the explosion happened at 2:49 p.m.
"It knocked the pictures off my wall," Glim told Patch. "It's just so horrible. It almost blew me off the couch. I thought a car had crashed into the side of my house."
Glim said that another neighbor was taken to the hospital after a brick went through a window of her house and hit her in the head. Glim said it was her understanding that the older couple whose house was destroyed did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
They both were taken to the hospital, however.
"I'm just so thankful," Glim said. "It could have been worse. The damage on my vehicle and house can be fixed easily. They don't have a house to go back to."
Glim said the explosion was deafening.
"It was like a nuclear bomb. I literally thought that I would go outside and the whole world would be gone. It hurt me."
Glim said she did not smell any natural gas or smoke following the explosion.
The East Washington Street property is outside the city of Joliet limits near the intersection of Clairmont Avenue.
Aug 19, 2020
Tracie Crespo
https://www.koaa.com/news/national/multiple-people-injured-missing-...
Multiple people injured, missing after pipeline explosion in Corpus Christi
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Firefighters are battling a major fire in Corpus Christi following a pipeline explosion along the city's refinery row.
The blast happened just after 8:05 a.m. near Lantana and I-37, possibly at EPIC Products near Lantana and Navigation.
Firefighters said the fire ignited a barge, which became fully engulfed. The fire then spread from the pipeline to the grain elevator.
KRIS reports that multiple people during the explosion ended up in the water.
CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline representatives said they are treating four people from the explosion. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time.
Two victims are being flown to Brooke Army Medical Center burn units in San Antonio.
Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb said there is a search and rescue operation for four people who are still missing.
KRIS has learned that EPIC Products had a brand new pipeline built for loading. It was reportedly going in at the facility when there was a pipeline rupture at the barge loading dock.
According to Lieutenant Marina Lyons with the US Coast Guard, a dredge struck a submerged pipeline causing a fire in the Corpus Christi ship channel.
The owner of the barge said they had multiple employees working at the site at the time of the explosion.
The Corpus Christi Police Department has closed off Lantana Street to traffic as crews work to contain the inferno.
This story was originally published by Eddie Cruz, Ryan Garza and Ana Tamez at KRIS.
Aug 22, 2020
Juan F Martinez
Gas pipeline explosion causes ‘cascading blackout’ across Syria in suspected ‘terrorist act’
24 Aug, 2020 02:20 / Updated 11 minutes ago
A suspected terrorist attack against a major gas pipeline in Damascus countryside has led to widespread power outages all across Syria, according to the country’s electricity and energy ministries.
The blast “may have been caused by a terrorist act” and “led to power cuts in all of Syria,” SANA reported, citing the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
While there were no reports of injuries in the blast, several photos and videos have circulated on social media purporting to show a massive blaze that engulfed the crippled pipeline.
https://www.rt.com/news/498842-syria-gas-explosion-blackout/
Aug 24, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.industrialfireworld.com/571714/furnace-explosion-at-gha...
Furnace Explosion at Steel Plant in Ghana Injures 1
August 27, 2020
An explosion Monday in an induction furnace rocked a steel factory in southern Ghana, local media report.
The only injury reported was a worker with a broken ankle.
At about 6:20 p.m., United Steel Company in Tema reported an explosion inside an induction furnace being heated as routine maintenance after being shut down by the government on August 13 for environmental reasons.
Reports of damage to neighboring property are false, a company spokesperson reports.
The furnace is heated periodically as standard procedure and was empty when the blast occurred.
No smelting is being done until work is completed on a pollution system not expected to be operational until July 2021.
Aug 28, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/42551358/officials-at-least-62-di...
Officials: At least 62 displaced after fire tears through several buildings in Paterson
Updated: Aug 27, 2020 2:52 PM EDT
A possible explosion and early morning 4-alarm fire rocked a Paterson neighborhood, destroying several homes and leaving at least 62 people displaced.
The blaze began around 2:20 a.m. at 77 Mill St. The remains of the 3-story wood frame structure, doubling as apartments and a salon, are clearly seen. The blaze quickly moved to six other residential buildings in the tightly packed neighborhood.
The fire department is trying to gain full control of what is left of the fire. Paterson Fire Chief Brian McDermott says a potential explosion may have sparked the fire, but it's under investigation by the Paterson Arson Unit and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
"All of the buildings are interconnected and have common spaces for fire to travel serious," says Chief Brian McDermott. "The most serious damage is at 7779. Two large three-story buildings, with that there are 62 people that are displaced. The American Red Cross -- a great job they're doing non-congregational housing right now for the victims."
Everyone is accounted for, with no injuries and no fatalities expected.
“We have our health and human services,” says Mayor Andre Sayegh. “We are going to stay on top and monitor what happens with some of these individuals. Some of them have families that they can stay with, but some may not. So, we have to be prepared and we have to continuously coordinate with the American Red Cross to see how we can further assist these individuals have been affected by this fire."
The Red Cross is providing financial assistance for the displaced residents, such as temporary shelter, food, and clothing. City leaders are also assisting.
Police also helped rescue around 15 people, along with several civilian-led rescues.
Aug 28, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.ladbible.com/news/weird-165ft-deep-crater-forms-in-russ...
Gigantic 165ft Deep Crater Forms In Russia's Arctic Tundra After Explosion
Last updated 15:00, Saturday 29 August 2020 BST
A giant crater caused by a massive explosion has been discovered in the Arctic circle after a summer of unprecedented heat in the area
It is thought that the explosion that created the 165ft deep hole in the tundra was caused by a build-up of methane gas that eventually combusted.
It was discovered by a TV crew flying above the Yamal peninsula in Russia, who even spotted blocks of frozen soil and ice 'hundreds of metres' from the site of the 'colossal force', according to scientists who have examined the blast site.
Basically, the thawing permafrost - caused by a ridiculously hot summer - caused the pressure to build up, eventually giving way to a huge explosion.
This is the 17th crater of this kind to be found in the last six years, and - obviously - there are a load of bizarre theories about the origin of the hole, including Kremlin missile testing and, of course, aliens.
However, the actual truth is more unsettling, because it's probably due to climate change.
The ground has been frozen for thousands of years, but is thawing out and releasing the methane that is trapped in the soil.
After Vesti Yamal TV discovered the deep crater, scientists travelled out there to examine it. They reckon it's the biggest hole they've seen like this.
Professor Vasily Bogoyavlensky, from the Russian Oil and Gas Research Institute in Moscow, added: "This object is unique.
"It holds a lot of additional scientific information, which I am not yet ready to disclose.
"This is a subject for scientific publications."
He explained that the explosions happen when 'gas-saturated cavities are formed in the permafrost,' which means that a void is 'filled with gas with high pressure' until 'the covering layer distends, the thickness of which is five to ten metres [16-32ft] approximately'.
Got all that? Good.
Some explosions like this occur in swelling 'pingos' - or mounds - in the tundra after gas builds up under a sheet of ice.
The professor has also previously said that natural gas drilling could play a role in the eruptions. He argues that more damage and disasters could be caused if such an event were to happen near gas pipelines, residential areas or production facilities.
He said: "In a number of areas, pingos - as we see both from satellite data and with our own eyes during helicopter inspections - literally prop up gas pipes.
"In some places they jack up the gas pipes... they seem to begin to slightly bend these pipes."
However, the study of these holes and the explosions that form them is still at a very early stage.
Aug 29, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/suspected-gas-explosion-reporte...
UAE restaurant blasts kill three, injure several
Two separate explosions in the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi and its tourism hub Dubai struck on Monday.
By REUTERS
Aug 31, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://polandin.com/49644703/gas-explosion-kills-4-in-northeastern...
Gas explosion kills 4 in northeastern Poland
31.08.2020, 15:51
A total of four individuals were confirmed dead as a result of a gas explosion in a detached family home in the northeastern Polish city of Białystok, Poland’s public broadcaster TVP reported on Monday.
“Four individuals died as a result of a gas explosion that took place at a single-family house on Kasztanowa Street in Białystok,” a spokesman of the Białystok police department told TVP, adding that police and fire department officers were on the scene.
TVP reported that as many as 10 fire brigades undertook rescue procedures.
Moreover, citing a senior firefighter, TVP reported that a child was among the fatalities of the tragic event.
The senior officer said that “four people died, including a child,” adding that “securing and search procedures are ongoing.”
The local fire department received a notification of the explosion a couple of minutes after noon on Monday. The explosion took place in a three-storey brick house.
Victims of the explosion were taken out of the building by the firefighters. Unfortunately, they could not be saved.
Aug 31, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.inmaricopa.com/two-construction-workers-injured-in-expl...
Gas buildup blamed for cause of explosion this morning
Sept 1 2020
The explosion that injured two construction workers on Tuesday morning was caused by a buildup of pressurized gas.
That determination was made by the Maricopa Fire Department, which responded to the blast about 7:30 a.m. in Province where two employees were working on a drainage system for a nearby residential lake.
“The two construction workers were treated and have been transported to local area hospitals with non life-threatening injuries,” Deputy Chief Chris Bolinger said. “No firefighters were injured and the cause of the explosion has been attributed to a pressurized gas buildup (in the drainage system).”
Crews monitored the scene to assure no continuing hazard was present before closing the incident.
and another:
https://mv-voice.com/news/2020/08/31/explosion-and-fire-at-los-alto...
Explosion and fire at Los Altos home
Fire officials and PG&E investigating cause of blaze linked to leaking gas meter
Uploaded: Mon, Aug 31, 2020, 2:39 pm
Crews extinguished a structure fire at a residence in Los Altos early Monday morning, fire officials said.
Shortly after 3 a.m. on Aug. 31, Santa Clara County Fire Department responded to reports of an explosion and a fire at a residence on the 1800 block of Grant Park Lane, near Grant Park.
Upon arrival, crews found a fire on the exterior of the residence caused by an actively leaking gas meter.
Officers with the Los Altos Police Department safely evacuated the residents of the home and surrounding homes.
Crews safely clamped the gas line leading to the meter and extinguished the fire in under 40 minutes, fire officials said.
The residence was damaged by the fire, but no injuries were reported and no residents were displaced.
According to Santa Clara Fire Department, the cause of the fire is not considered suspicious and is under investigation in cooperation with Pacific Gas and Electric.
Sep 2, 2020
Tracie Crespo
https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/09/04/house-explosion-leaves-se...
House explosion leaves 7 severely injured, hospitalized
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - An explosion at a home late Thursday night sent a family of seven to the hospital with severe injuries.
In North Memphis just off Britton Street and Stovall Avenue, just before 10:30 p.m., there was a house explosion.
Fire crews have blocked off the house because of major damage and unstable walls.
When firefighters arrived they notice severe damage to the house. Thankfully everyone was out, however, all seven people, four children and three adults were transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Firefighters say they suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to more than half of their body.
The children were transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and the adults are at Regional One Medical Center.
Firefighters believe this fire was accidental, but they are still investigating the cause.
Copyright 2020 WMC. All rights reserved.
Sep 4, 2020
Tracie Crespo
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-54023852
Hoo fire: 'Huge explosion' as fire rages at industrial unit
A large fire has broken out in an industrial building and people have been evacuated from the nearby area.
One resident of Hoo Marina, close to the blaze on Vicarage Lane, described hearing a "huge explosion" and an eyewitness said the "place shook".
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said about 200 people had been removed from the area and advised others to keep windows and doors closed.
Five crews remain at the scene after the blaze started at about 04:40 BST.
Mark Woodward, the incident commander for the fire service, said the building was used to store animal welfare equipment and some Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders had exploded in the blaze.
Another eyewitness told BBC Radio Kent he heard "two massive bangs" at about 05:00.
"We thought it was a thunder bolt because the whole place shook," he said.
"All I could see in the background was a red ball of fire and we were all told to evacuate."
Image captionResidents in the area have been advised to keep windows and doors closed
Mr Woodward said the blaze had been "well contained" and the fire service was "considering how best to extinguish it".
UK Power Networks confirmed it had sent engineers to the area at 10:00 after receiving reports of an interruption to power supplies to 13 properties.
The power supply to 40 customers was also cut as work continued to reconnect supplies, the company said.
A spokeswoman said the fire had damaged an overhead power cable.
Roads in the area have been closed off by Medway Council while emergency teams deal with the blaze.
Image captionSmoke from the blaze can be seen for miles
Sep 4, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.newagebd.net/article/115418/35-injured-in-gas-explosion...
https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/37-injured-after-ac-burst...
1 dead, 39 injured after ACs burst at N'ganj mosque; fire officials suspect gas leak
35 injured in gas explosion at Narayanganj mosque
Published: 02:10, Sep 05,2020
At least 35 people were injured, including three critically, in a gas explosion at Baitus Salat Jame Masjid in Paschim Talla area of Fatulla in Narayanganj on Friday night.
Most of them were rushed to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
Narayanganj fire service deputy assistant director Abdullah Al Arefin said that there was a leaked gas line underground of the mosque and the mosque was filled with gas.
Before Esha prayers, someone switched on a fan and the explosion occurred, he said adding that six air-conditioners of the mosque were also exploded, leaving at least 35 injured.
Four units of fire service rushed to the spot and put out fire after 20 minutes, Arefin said.
The burn unit resident medical officer Partha Sankar Pal said that they received around 20 burn victims from Narayanganj accident until 10:15pm.
Three of the victims were critically injured, he added.
Sep 4, 2020
jorge namour
https://www.thelocal.it/20200916/watch-explosion-and-fire-rips-thro...
Explosion and fire rips through Italian port of Ancona overnight
6 September 2020
Thick black smoke over the port of Ancona on Wednesday morning.
Schools and parks have been closed in Ancona after an explosion and large fire in the port early on Wednesday morning.
Plumes of thick smoke billowed eastwards over the Italian port city of Ancona on Wednesday after fires broke out among a cluster of warehouses the previous night.
Explosions sparked the fire shortly after midnight, though is is not yet clear what caused the blast.
Firefighters from Ancona and several neighbouring towns in the region of Le Marche, on the Adriatic coast, promptly rushed in to put out the fires as they blazed well into the morning.
“First was a powerful blast at 1:30pm last night, then three or four explosions, then fire,” recalled a French holidaymaker, who asked not to be named and spent the night in a caravan one hundred metres from the outbreak.
“We were asleep and there was a roar,” said resident Lara Pulizie, who lives in a flat next to the site of the explosion and has since closed the windows to keep the fumes out. “People in the street were screaming, because it seemed as though the whole complex could burst.”
“Then everybody was at their windows trying to see what was happening, because the flames were so tall,” she added. “We were ready to take our kids and run.” CONTINUE...
Sep 16, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1336541/oklahoma-explosion-US-...
Oklahoma explosion: Huge blast and 'massive flames' spotted in US - 'Sky glowed orange'
OKLAHOMA residents have reported an explosion, followed by a huge fire, on social media.
PUBLISHED: 03:09, Thu, Sep 17, 2020 | UPDATED: 04:39, Thu, Sep 17, 2020
The fire was reported near Piedmont Road and Waterloo Road in Edmond, Oklahoma. Social media footage shows a huge ball of flame on the horizon from residents. Multiple firefighters have responded to the call and are on the site tackling the blaze, which has knocked out power lines. Some users noted the fireball took place in a “huge gas pipeline area”.
Officials said a 12 inch gas pipeline running underneath Piedmont and Waterloo roads exploded.
A huge section of the junction has been obliterated by the blast, leaving a huge crater.
Media outlets and onlookers said debris was flung across the road, and the force of the blast flattened power lines.
After the blast, the gas line caught fire, with the blaze being visible for miles and reaching between 50 to 100 feet high.
It is unknown what caused the initial explosion.
Logan County, Canadian County, and Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Offices all responded with Piedmont Fire, Cashion Fire, and Oakcliff Fire to tackle the blaze.
The Kingfisher County sheriff told US media group News 9 a high pressure gas line was possibly hit, causing the explosion, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Piedmont police told local news outlet KOCO 5 the explosion took place in a rural area with few residents.
The police chief said no injuries were reported, and no evacuations took place as of 9:27PM CDT (3:27AM GMT).
Traffic on Piedmont and Waterloo road is being diverted by the officers.
Some Twitter users claimed mass evacuations were taking place due to the blaze, contradicting the police chief.
Others sent their best wishes to the first responders.
Sep 17, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/article/58026/
Explosions spark huge fire in Italian port, no casualties
Massive gas main fire investigation underway in Fort Smith
FORT SMITH, Ark — Emergency crews arrived at the corner of Zero Street and Massard Road in Fort Smith after a fire broke out in the area Wednesday (Sept. 16) night.
Fort Smith Fire Department (FSFD), Barling Fire Department (BFD) and AOG were on the scene and found a 10-inch, high-pressure natural gas transmission on fire, according to Chief Fuller with FSFD.
Fuller says FSPD secured water supplies and immediately started trying to protect and cool the other transmission lines on-site and protect the structures in the area.
This was a high-pressure transmission line, so there were no worries of an explosion.
AOG was able to get the gas shut off.
There are no injuries to report and no other buildings were damaged.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. AOG was on-scene beginning an investigation when FSPD left the scene at around 1:30 a.m.
According to a Barling firefighter, it was a gas main that was on fire.
No other details have been released at this time.
Just over 200 miles west another gas line explosion rocked the city of Piedmont, Oklahoma. Our CBS affiliate News 9 reports that fireballs from the explosion could be seen rising more than 150 feet the air.
Sep 17, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://oilcity.news/community/2020/09/19/2-injured-in-explosion-an...
2 INJURED IN EXPLOSION AND FIRE AT REFINERY NEAR EVANSTON SATURDAY
September 19, 2020
CASPER, Wyo — 2 people have been transported to Evanston Regional Hospital with burn injuries following an explosion and fire at the Silver Eagle Refinery east of Evanston, Wyoming, according to a Uinta County Fire and Ambulance social media release Saturday.
The Uinta County Sheriff’s Office and county fire and EMS crews responded around 10:21 a.m. Saturday, September 19 to a report of an explosion at the refinery’s loading rack area, where two trucks were loading at the time of the incident.
The fire was contained to the loading facility and caused no damage to the refinery itself, the agency said.
Sep 20, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://cbs12.com/news/local/school-evacuated-after-natural-gas-pip...
School evacuated after natural gas pipeline explosion
Thursday, September 24th 2020
NEAR LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla./CBS12 News — A school was evacuated following an explosion of a natural gas pipeline on the northbound side of the Florida Turnpike near Lake Worth Beach.
The blast happened just before 10 a.m. Thursday morning.
Businesses nearby, including a hotel and a Dunkin' Donuts were evacuated.
School buses were brought in to evacuate about 450 children from Discovery Key Elementary and take them to Polo Park Middle School, where parents were told they could pick them up.
“It was just nerve-wracking. Absolutely. But we have to do whatever we can do to make it work.," said Kelly Richter, parent of a student at Discovery Key Elementary.
“I figured I’d come rescue my kid. I’m glad she’s safe though. I’m glad nothing really serious happened," said Michelle Gibbons, another parent.
Meanwhile, people who live near the scene of the explosion were told to evacuate.
“I just heard an explosion, went outside to see what happened. It sounded like thunder and when I looked out it was all smoky and I had sand all over my car. It smelled funny, it smelled like gas, when I walked out, it smelled like gas," said Renan Cedeno, who lives not far from the blast.
A driver on the Turnpike says he was going northbound near Lake Worth Road when the explosion happened. He says the blast was so fierce it hurled rocks in the air that shattered the windshields of a truck and another vehicle on the Turnpike.
Sheriff’s deputies blocked eastbound traffic on Lake Worth Road, west of the Turnpike for several hours following the natural gas pipeline explosion.
The owner of a barbershop at the intersection of Lake Worth Road and the Turnpike remembers the moment the blast happened.
“I was cutting a gentleman’s hair when I heard a big blast. "we both jumped out of the chair, we came outside. There was a big yellow cloud and it felt like there was a jet engine airplane with the noise and the way it felt, with the sound and the force of it and right after that we decided you know what, it's probably a good time to get out of here," said Jose Corona, owner of Celebrity Barbershop.
Deputies reopened Lake Worth Road in both directions around 4 p.m. and businesses have been allowed to reopen.
and another:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/719712-two-dead-four-injured-in-no...
Two dead, four injured in North Karachi gas explosion
The explosion occurred at a house located at Sector 5/C-3 in the North Karachi area, within the jurisdiction of Khawaja Ajmair Nagri police station. Following the explosion, ambulances from different welfare organisations reached the scene and moved the victims to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
The deceased was identified as 18-year-old Naveed, son of Rafiq, and 30-year-old Tehseen Bibi, wife of Sajid. The injured are Rehana, 35, wife of Siddiq, Farzana, 38, wife of Amir, Alisha, 17, daughter of Siddiq-e-Omar, and 10-year-old Ahsan, son of Siddiq.
A heavy contingent of the law enforcers also attended the scene and cordoned off the area. Experts from the bomb disposal squad were also called in to examine the explosion site. The initial findings suggested it was a gas explosion that apparently occurred due to gas leakage in the main gas line that was reportedly damaged due to the digging of a sewerage line.
and another:
https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/explosion-kills-chil...
Explosion kills child, injures 3 at home near Edmond; cause under investigation
Sept 24 2020
OKLAHOMA CITY — Officials believe a faulty propane system caused a northeast Oklahoma City home to explode Thursday, leaving one girl dead and three others injured.
Berklee Maguire, 14, was killed, while her father, Shawn, suffered serious injuries. Her mother and brother, Tandy and Hayden, suffered burn injuries.
Oklahoma City Fire Department Battalion Chief Benny Fulkerson said "(the house) was leveled like an EF5 tornado came through here."
Neighbor Patti Wommer said the father explained how he plugged in a coffee pot and "the house blew up."
and another:
https://www.eveningtribune.com/news/20200924/bath-fire-under-invest...
Bath fire under investigation
Sept 24 2020
BATH — On Thursday at 2:50 p.m. the Bath Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a working structure fire at T&R Environmental Services Haz Mat building located next door to T&R Towing on Rt. 415 North of the Village of Bath.
Large plumes of heavy black smoke could be seen for miles.
Assistant Chief Sean Walruth was first on scene and immediately started calling for mutual aid tankers for water and manpower. In all, 16 departments were called to aid in our effort to bring the massive fire under control.
Originally T&R’s Haz Mat building was fully involved in intense flame and heavy black smoke. There were several large fireballs that went high into the sky from the barrels of oil that were exploding. Crews were setup to try to protect the T&R office and dispatch center and the Fred Roberts Auto Parts buildings located on each side of the Haz Mat building. The dispatch building was saved, however the intense heat got into the Fred Roberts Auto building, totally involving that as well due to the heavy load of oil, paint, paint thinner and other flammable materials inside the auto parts store.
It took roughly four hours to bring the fire under control and a few hours more to mop up and extinguish the fire completely. By the time Bath units got back in quarters and got the equipment back in ready condition for calls it was approximately 11:30 p.m.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Bath Volunteer Ambulance was on scene in case of injuries and to monitor firefighters through the duration of the fire. Law enforcement agencies went door to door of the local homes in the immediate area to evacuate them to safety.
Brian Polmanteer, who is the owner of T&R, extended his gratitude to all the departments and everyone that came to help in his time of need. He is just grateful none of his employees or any of the firefighters were seriously hurt during the fire.
The Bath Volunteer Fire Department is extremely grateful to all the mutual aid departments that came to help battle this inferno, said the department in a press release, also thanking the following businesses who donated food and water to all the firefighters: Sav-A-Lot, Rico’s Pizza, Angry Oven Pizza, Pizza D, Big D’s & Chef T’s, Pilot Truck Stop, Southern Tier Provisions, Maybe Baby Burgers, Tractor Supply. Also to Mary Seager who is a neighbor to the fire station who came and helped make sandwiches.
Sep 26, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/24/africa/nigeria-explosion-oil-tanker-...
Nigerian gas tanker explosion kills at least 28
Thu September 24, 2020
Abuja, NigeriaAt least 28 people were killed on Wednesday when a gas tanker exploded in the central Nigerian state of Kogi and started a blaze, a road safety agency official said.
Sep 26, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.frackcheckwv.net/2020/09/26/natural-gas-explosion-betwee...
Natural Gas EXPLOSION Between Old & New Pipelines in WV Eastern Panhandle
Mountaineer Gas Pipeline Exploded in Martinsburg, West Virginia
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
From the Editor of Morgan County USA, September 21, 2020
A Mountaineer Gas pipeline in Martinsburg, West Virginia exploded this afternoon at about 3:15 p.m. on the Sentz family property on Salvation Road. Anne and Benjamin Sentz were working from home and watching workers dig a trench for a new pipeline that was running by an old pipeline that had gas in it.
“My husband and I were working from home today,” Anne Sentz told Morgan County USA. “We were standing in our kitchen looking out our window watching them dig. We kept an eye on the people doing the work ever since they started. We happened to be watching them dig. They were digging really deep. We heard a bang like they hit metal. All of a sudden there was a loud explosion. Pressurized gas shot up 80 to 100 feet into the air. Six or seven workers just scattered.”
“My husband grabbed me and said – we need to get out of here. I grabbed one dog and he grabbed the other. We just ran to our car. While we were on our way to our car, a worker came to the front of our house and said we needed to go. We just left. I left the door open. We were out of there in 30 seconds. We just drove away. We didn’t know if our house was going to explode or what. We kept on driving. I drove all the way to Shepherdstown.”
“I called 911. They had already received a call about the incident. They put me through to the fire department. I talked to someone from the fire department. They told me they would give me a call when it was safe to come back to the house. It’s 5:30 and we are still not back. We haven’t received the call yet that it is all clear.”
“They had to evacuate in a 330 foot radius we were told. Our neighbors to the right of us were evacuated. Maybe the person across the road was evacuated. I’m not exactly sure how many people were evacuated. Maybe three homes.”
Anne Sentz said that Mountaineer Gas has an easement through their property that is decades old. “It predates our ownership of the property. It predates the house being built. We didn’t grant them the easement.”
“There had been an old pipeline that runs through our yard. We are not even a natural gas customer. It just happens to run through our property. It was being used by Mountaineer Gas to deliver gas to other customers.”
“We were told by Mountaineer Gas months ago that they were upgrading this old line for safety reasons to put in this larger pipeline. They have been digging all day. It’s my understanding that they are not removing the old pipeline while they are putting the new one in.
“Then you have two pipelines running side by side – an old and a new one. And when they were digging the trench to put the new pipeline in, they hit the old pipeline and that appeared to cause the explosion.”
“I do not believe anyone was hurt. But we left within 30 seconds of it happening. I don’t know. It seems to me from my observation that everyone standing around the site got up and ran away. There was no fire. We haven’t been allowed back onto our property to see if there was property damage. I just don’t know.”
“I’ve been watching this operation for a while,” Sentz said. “I am trying to figure out what is going on. The gas company hasn’t been as transparent as they should be to the property owners and neighbors and people affected by this.”
“I was just at the site at 5 p.m. and could still smell the gas,” said Tracy Cannon. “I’ve been watching the pipeline construction in the Eastern Panhandle closely for two years now. I’ve often been concerned about what I saw. Mountaineer Gas Company has been installing new pipeline on Salvation Road without removing the old pipeline first. I was worried that something could go wrong, but I’m still shocked that this happened. Thankfully no one was injured.”
New pipeline alongside questionable old pipeline
“This incident is an example of the careless manner in which Mountaineer Gas is installing the gas pipeline to Rockwool,” said Christine Wimer, President of Jefferson County Foundation. “We have again and again tried to get Mountaineer Gas to have the pipeline appropriately permitted, but they have refused to do so. The regulators are all too happy to oblige Mountaineer Gas’s obfuscation of the regulatory requirements. The regulators have abandoned their post of protecting the public. This cannot be tolerated.”
Sep 27, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/one-killed-...
One killed, 6 hurt in explosion at house in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura
A man was killed and six members of his family were injured in an explosion at their house in a Mathura village, police said on Saturday.
SEP 26 2020, 17:52 IST
The injured included three women and a child, police said, adding the incident took place at Surir Kalan village on Friday night. The Mathura chief fire officer has been asked to probe the incident and submit a report at the earliest, SSP Gaurav Gro...
and another:
https://www.swtimes.com/news/20200927/girl-dead-3-family-members-hu...
Girl dead, 3 family members hurt in Oklahoma house explosion
9 27 2020
OKLAHOMA CITY — A girl was killed and her parents and brother were injured when their home in Oklahoma City exploded Thursday morning, fire officials said.
The coroner has identified the girl as Berklee Maguire, 14. Her parents and brother were hospitalized with burns, said District Fire Chief Benny Fulkerson.
The explosion occurred just before 7 a.m. in northeast Oklahoma City and destroyed the home while also damaging at least three nearby houses, Fulkerson said.
“When we arrived there was no active fire, it was a completely leveled home with debris up and down the street,” Fulkerson said.
Neighbor Patti Wommer said Shawn Maguire, the girl’s father said he plugged in a coffee pot, received a shock and the house exploded.
“We heard Shawn, the dad crying because he couldn’t find his family and he couldn’t see. We helped him through the street. Another neighbor helped the mother, the wife. And another neighbor helped the son. And then we couldn’t find the daughter,” Wommer said.
The blast may have been caused by an illegal log lighter in the fireplace, said Nicholas Nadeau, safety code enforcement officer with the Oklahoma State Liquified Petroleum Gas Administration, which is leading the investigation. The device had a faulty pilot safety shutoff and the pilot light went out, filling multiple rooms with propane gas vapor, he said.
Sep 27, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.powderbulksolids.com/industrial-fires-explosions/five-k...
Five Killed in Chemical Plant Explosion
Five people were killed and another injured after an explosion at a chemical plant in China's Tianmen City, Hubei Province on Monday afternoon.
According to authorities, the plant makes compounds that are used in the manufacturing of drugs.
Emergency crews were at the scene.
Sep 28, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/home-explosion-hospitalizes...
Explosion destroys Kingston home, sends 1 man to the hospital
KINGSTON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Kingston Police Department are investigating after a home explosion sent one man to the hospital early Monday morning.
A Roane County Sheriff's deputy heard the explosion around 4:15 a.m. and called it in. Multiple emergency crews responded to the home located at 731 Gallaher Road.
Captain Tony Guy with the Kingston Police Department said the explosion destroyed the home and flung debris or several hundred yards around it. Several other nearby homes were damaged.
Guy said a 24-year-old man with injuries was located on the property and was taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.
The TBI Bomb and Arson team, Roane County District Attorney's team, and others were called to investigate. The cause of the explosion is unknown.
The Kingston Police Department is utilizing a drone to access the large-scale field of debris.
Sep 28, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://abc7chicago.com/rockford-house-explosion-kills-1-injures-2-...
Rockford house explosion kills 1, injures 2 others
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLS) -- A man was killed and two other men were injured in a house explosion in Rockford Monday evening.
Rockford fire officials said they received 30 to 40 911 calls about an explosion at a home in the 2800-block of Lapey Street.
When emergency crews responded to the scene, they found a large fire inside what they described as an apartment building.
Fire officials said two of the men were thrown from the building into the front yard and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Fire officials described their injuries as serious, but gave no further details.
Another man was found under debris near the front area of the home after the fire had been put out, and was pronounced dead, fire officials said.
Fire officials said the relationship between the three victims was not yet known.
No further details about the explosion and its cause has been released.
Sep 30, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/blast-at-gas-power-pla...
Blast at gas power plant in Bengaluru, 15 injured
A “minor” explosion was reported at a 370 MW gas power plant of the state-run Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd in Bengaluru early on Friday, leaving 15 persons injured, including two critically
2 Oct 2020, 4:51 PM
A "minor" explosion was reported at a 370 MW gas power plant of the state-run Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd in Bengaluru early on Friday, leaving 15 persons injured, including two critically, an official said.
Speaking to IANS, District Fire officer, Kishore, said that they received a call from the plant at 3.30 a.m., and fire fighters rushed to the spot
"Four fire tenders, two water pumps and two one foam tender were rushed to the spot. The Rail Wheel Factory had immediately rushed one foam tender from its side, but we did not use it," he said.
Kishore said that the department used foam tender to extinguish fire. "This was a medium range fire incident, had it not been controlled in time, it had the potential to cause a major loss," he said.
He added that the primary reason was an electric short circuit that resulted in the minor explosion where oil was stored.
Local residents said that they heard a loud blast-like sound and saw fire tenders and several ambulances lining up in front of their flats, creating panic.
Oct 2, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-11/gas-explosion...
Gas Explosion Hits Market, Kills at Least Five in Southwest Iran
Oct. 11, 2020, at 2:53 a.m.
DUBAI (REUTERS) - A suspected gas explosion flattened a building and shops in a marketplace in southwest Iran on Sunday, killing at least five people, a fire official said, in the latest in a series of fires and blasts, some of which have hit sensitive sites.
State television showed rescue teams looking for survivors in the rubble of the two-storey residential building located near a historic marketplace in the old district of the city of Ahvaz, capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province.
"The gas explosion led to the complete destruction of a two-story residential building... and four nearby residential buildings and six shops," Ebrahim Qanbari, head of the fire department in Ahvaz, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr news agency.
Four men and one woman were killed and nine people were injured, Qanbari said.
Some of the explosions in the past few months appeared to be linked to Iran's deteriorating infrastructure, while others may have been security-related such as blasts at sensitive military and nuclear sites.
Oct 13, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://notemymail.com/gas-explosion-leaves-4-dead-in-chinas-coal-mine
Gas explosion leaves 4 dead in China's coal mine
Oct 20, 2020 11:1550
The explosion happened in the mine owned by Lu'an Group at around 2 a.m. Tuesday. The rescue work has ended. An investigation into the cause of the blast is underway.
The mine has an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes
Oct 21, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://blackchristiannews.com/2020/10/five-people-injured-in-explo...
Five People Injured in Explosion at Virginia Shopping Center
Investigators on Sunday hunted for clues behind a thunderous explosion that leveled a strip mall, injured five people and rattled residents for miles on a peaceful morning in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
The blast Saturday ripped through a shopping center in downtown Harrisonburg where businesses included a family owned halal market, a musical instrument store and recording studio and a nail salon and barber shop.
Nearby James Madison University said in a Facebook post that three students from the school’s Army ROTC program who had been participating in a 10-mile race were among the injured. The explosion occurred about 30 yards from the start and finish line for the race, the school said.
Damon Boyd, who was working construction nearby when the blast erupted, told the Daily-News Record he and his crew rushed to the scene. An injured man on the ground “started hollering that he’s dying,” Boyd said. “It looked like something hit him in the face.”
Although Gov. Ralph Northam tweeted that state emergency personnel had been deployed to the area after what he called a gas explosion, Harrisonburg Fire Chief Matt Tobia said the cause was under investigation.
Oct 21, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2020/10/karachi-maskan-chowrangi-explosion/
5 killed, 28 injured in explosion near Karachi’s Maskan Chowrangi
Posted: Oct 21, 2020
Bomb Disposal Squad confirms it was caused by gas leak
Five people have been killed and 28 injured in an explosion at a building near Karachi's Maskan Chowrangi.
Three people are in critical condition and two of the injured people are women.
Rescue, police and Rangers teams are at the scene. The area has been cordoned off and the bomb disposal squad examined the site.
It has determined that the explosion occurred due to a gas leak in one of the apartments. It was earlier being reported that the explosion could have been a bomb blast because the noise and intensity of the blast was considered too loud to be a gas or cylinder-related explosion.
The police say the blast occurred within Meezan Bank. There were 18 staff members in the bank at the time of the blast.
A security guard was killed and the marks on his body indicate that it was a gas blast, according to the initial report given to police officials.
The explosion was reported on the mezzanine floor of the four-storey Allah Noor Apartments in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The apartments are opposite the Karachi University gate. The ground and mezzanine floors both belong to Meezan Bank.
There are fears that some people might be stuck beneath the rubble. The ground floor had the bank and businesses while residential apartments were located on top.
One section of the apartment has collapsed and the top floors have been evacuated.
The injured and deceased were initially taken to Patel Hospital and then shifted to Jinnah hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Some people were also injured when rubble from the building fell on them.
The windows of nearby apartments shattered due to the intensity of the blast.
Police officials initially had doubts about the nature of the blast but had theorised that it was a gas blast. Tuesday's blast in Shireen Jinnah Colony was initially declared a cy...
In this case, no ball bearings or nuts and bolts were found at the scene, nor was there any smell of explosives.
Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani is at the scene and says one bank staffer is currently missing. We have been informed one person is missing and might be under the rubble, he said, adding that the rubble will be removed after he is found and then they will know the reason for the explosion.
Heavy machinery is at the scene to remove the rubble and debris.
Oct 21, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.newschain.uk/news/fatalities-feared-after-building-coll...
Fatalities feared after building collapses in gas explosion in west London
An unknown number of people are believed to have died after a suspected gas explosion in a shop underneath flats led to the collapse of the building.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said they believe there are fatalities within the property on King Street in Ealing, west London, but are unable to confirm how many.
Emergency workers are involved in a “complex” and “painstaking” operation as they continue to search for anyone who may still be inside after the incident on Wednesday.
Station commander Paul Morgan from LFB said: “Sadly we believe that there are fatalities within the property although we’re unable to confirm numbers at this stage.
“The explosion caused substantial damage to the shop and structural damage throughout.
“It is a painstaking and protracted incident with firefighters working systematically to stabilise the building and search for people involved
“We’d ask for people to avoid the area at this time.”
He said a child and four adults were rescued in the initial stages, at the rear of the property, using a ladder, while a further fourteen adults and two children self evacuated from surrounding properties
LFB said they were called just before 6.40am, adding that six fire engines and about 40 firefighters are at the scene.
LFB’s specialist urban search and rescue (USAR) crews are carrying out the operation.
A spokesman said the windows of the shop were “completely blown out” in the incident.
The Metropolitan Police said the incident is not being treated as suspicious and is believed to be a gas explosion.
The force said a large explosion was found to have taken place inside a shop and a man was found injured.
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they have treated and discharged one person, and they are continuing to work with other emergency services at the scene.
Oct 23, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2006499/two-killed-man...
Two killed, many injured by gas pipe explosion in Samut Prakan
PUBLISHED : 22 OCT 2020 AT 17:45
SAMUT PRAKAN: Two elderly women were confirmed killed and 28 other people injured when a PTT gas pipe exploded in a ball of fire in Bang Bo district on Thursday afternoon.
People ran in panic from nearby homes, some of which were seen in flames. Students fled in fear from an adjoining school.
Two elderly women were killed, both in their 80s and one of them bed-ridden.
Pol Maj Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong, police spokesman, said the gas pipe exploded on 200 Years Road, opposite Preng police station in Bang Bo district.
Flames quickly spread, and residents of nearby houses fled to safety.
Other residents were evacuated by police.
Chaipoj Charoonpong, deputy Samut Prakan governor, confirmed two elderly women were killed. They were Mali Boonman, 81, who was bed-ridden, and Lamai Harnhiran, 82
Oct 23, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/peshawar-blast-explosion-pak...
Pakistan: Seven killed, 70 injured in blast at Peshawar madrasa
At least seven people were killed and 70 others injured in an explosion that ripped through Pakistan city Peshawar Tuesday morning, the Dawn reported. The blast was reported at a madrasa in Dir Colony.
Updated on: October 27, 2020 11:03 IST
At least seven people were killed and 70 others injured in an explosion that ripped through Pakistan city Peshawar Tuesday morning, the Dawn reported. The blast was reported at a madrasa in Dir Colony. The cause of the blast is not yet known. Meanwhile, police and rescue officials reached the scene.
"The blast took place in a seminary during a Quran class. Someone took a bag inside the seminary," Waqar Azim, a senior police official, told AFP
In a statement quoted by the Dawn, Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Mohammad Asim said that seven dead bodies and 70 injured — including children — have been brought to the facility. He said that the injured were being provided with immediate medical attention and the hospital's director was present at the emergency ward. An emergency had also been declared at the medical facility, he said.
Even as an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blast, initial reports suggest an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the explosion. The area has been cordoned off and police teams are collecting evidence, Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Mansoor Aman said. "Five kgs of explosives were used in the blast."
A month back, five people were killed and two others injured in a blast in the Akbarpura area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The explosion had occurred in a market along the Kabul river.
Oct 27, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-31/gas-pipeline-...
Gas Pipeline Blast in Southern Iraq Kills Three, Injures 51, Police Say
Oct. 31, 2020, at 5:37 a.m
BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - At least three people were killed and more than 50 injured in a gas pipeline explosion in southern Iraq, police sources said on Saturday.
The military said in a statement that the cause of the blast was not known. It said nine Shi'ite militia fighters were among the wounded and two children had been killed.
Police sources said the blast, near the southern city of Samawa, 270 km (170 miles) south of Baghdad, occurred along a stretch of pipeline that goes near a militia camp. Gas officials said the pipe there had seen leaks in the past.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire after shutting down the gas line, police said.
The oil ministry said in a statement it had sent technical crews to repair the damaged section. Gas flows would resume in the "next hours" via an alternative pipeline, to avoid shortages of supplies to power stations.
An investigation was launched to determine cause of blast, the statement cited Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Younis as saying.
Iraqi energy officials said the domestic line transports gas from some of the southern fields to feed power stations in some southern cities and a key power station near Baghdad.
The explosion has no effect on Iraq’s gas production and processing operations, two gas officials said.
Oct 31, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/pemex-pipeline-explosion/
Gas fire in Nuevo Leon after Pemex pipeline explosion
A gas fire continued to burn Monday morning in Nuevo Leon after a Pemex pipe exploded at 5 a.m. about 145 kilometers from the city of Monterrey.
The explosion, which occurred 30 kilometers from the city of China, ignited an area of grassy terrain about 800 meters in diameter. No deaths and no injuries were reported.
Governor Jaime Rodriguez Calderon confirmed the accident on social media and said that state, federal, and local authorities, including Civil Protection, had flown by helicopter this morning over the affected area.
Pemex officials managed to turn off the valves to stop the flow of gas to that part of the pipeline. The residual gas has been left to burn itself out. Authorities said there was no risk of the fire affecting the local population.
The explosion’s cause is currently unknown, although the area has seen several instances of illegal taps of the pipeline in the last year. The federal Attorney General’s Office will be investigating the explosion’s origin.
Members of the nearby community of Guitarritas, located five kilometers away from the scene of the explosion, reported the explosion to emergency services.
Nov 3, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/four-killed-as-godown-coll...
Six killed as godown collapses after explosion in Gujarat
An official had earlier said the explosion was triggered by a fire
Ahmedabad, November 4
Six people were killed and eight others injured on Wednesday when a portion of a godown of chemicals collapsed after a powerful explosion ripped through it near here in Gujarat, officials said.
At least 14 persons have been pulled out of the debris so far and the rescue operation is going on, a senior Fire official said, adding that the building housing the godown was located on Pirana-Piplaj Road, an industrial area.
An official had earlier said the explosion was triggered by a fire.
"Fire personnel rushed to the spot upon learning about the explosion and pulled out 14 persons from the rubble till now. All were shifted to LG Hospital in '108' ambulances," said Chief Fire Officer MF Dastur.
He said machinery has been used to break concrete slabs to extricate the trapped people.
Meanwhile, the government hospital said six of the 14 persons have been either declared "brought dead" or they have died shortly after admission.
"Remaining eight injured persons are undergoing treatment," it said in a statement.
A fire control room official said at least 26 rescue and fire-fighting vehicles were sent to the spot after a fire-explosion call was received around 11 am.
"The chemical godown building caved in following an explosion. Rescue operation is still underway. We have initiated an inquiry into this incident" said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Munia.
Meanwhile, labourers working in adjacent buildings told reporters that the explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the walls of the godown, leading to collapse of the roof on people working inside. PTI
Nov 5, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1355370/china-explosion-lanzho...
China explosion: Smoke billows as HUGE blast leaves Lanzhou chemical plant up in flames
A HUGE explosion has ripped through a chemical plant in China, state media outlets are reporting.
UPDATED: 07:14, Tue, Nov 3, 2020
At this early stage it is not known whether there have been any casualties.
The explosion took place in Lanzhou City – a region in China’s north-western Gansu Province – in the early hours of this morning.
Scenes from the site of the explosion show fire fighters directing jets of water at what was possibly a container structure.
China’s state-owned CCTV media outlet said: “At present, the local fire department is handling rescue operations on the spot. Whether the accident caused casualties is being verified.”
Lanzhou made headlines recently due to the ongoing outbreak of Brucellosis in the city – a bacterial animal-borne disease which causes flu-like symptoms.
Authorities admitted the outbreak was caused by waste gas emitted from the nearby China Animal Husbandry Lanzhou Biopharmaceutical Factory in 2019.
They said “expired disinfectants” meant the waste gas was not completely sterilised when it was released into the air.
In September this year, authorities said 3,245 people had tested positive for the bacterial infection.
Nov 10, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/11/serious-injuries-in-va-hos...
2 dead in VA hospital explosion in Connecticut
Nov 13 2020
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
A steam explosion at the West Haven VA Medical Center in Connecticut resulted in two deaths on Friday morning.
“We received a report this morning that an explosion occurred at the West Haven campus of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System that resulted in two deaths in a non-patient care area,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement reported by The Associated Press.
“Neither of the victims were VA patients and patient care was not affected. Emergency personnel are on the scene,” the statement said. “Our prayers are with the families of the victims of this explosion.”
The explosion took place at a maintenance facility on the VA hospital campus where work was being carried out.
The Connecticut State Police confirmed the explosion in a tweet just before 10 a.m. EST. “Detectives from the FEIU were dispatched to 950 Campbell Ave in West Haven to assist local fire marshals with a reported explosion. Please contact @WestHaven_PD for any further details regarding this active and ongoing investigation,” the tweet said.
The West Haven Police Department also confirmed the explosion.
“An incident just occurred at the VA Hospital located at 950 Campbell Ave. Please avoid the area due to traffic concerns. This is an isolated incident with no threats to the public,” the department said on Facebook.
Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Murphy released a statement on the explosion, saying, “I am closely monitoring the situation at the West Haven VA following the explosion this morning. My heart goes out to those affected and I stand ready to assist local and federal officials as we learn more.”
Nov 15, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.foxnews.com/us/nantucket-house-explodes-connection
Home on Nantucket island explodes, second in a week
It was not clear if both explosions are connected
A house on Massachusetts' Nantucket island was leveled from an explosion Thursday, the second inside a home in the area over the past week
One person inside the home was injured in the blast and at least two other homes were damaged. The extent of the person's injuries was not disclosed
The incident comes after another explosion and fire tore through a nearby home last week. The four people inside managed to escape, but two suffered burns.
Nov 16, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/massive-gas-explosion-destroys...
Massive gas explosion destroys several businesses in Northern Rwanda
Published on 17.11.2020
A gas explosion blew apart a business center in Musanze, a district in Northern Rwanda early Monday seriously destroying the complex, a police spokesperson in the region confirmed to APA in Kigali.Storefronts were seen destroyed, windows shattered and the roof was at least partly blown off, the Police said.
No injuries were sustained or lives lost in the incident but businesses counted heavy losses totalling 11 million Rwandan Francs (about $11,000 USD) as so little was salvaged from the fire, despite police and fire brigade making it to the spot shortly after the accident.
The past few months have been much characterised by fire outbreaks in Rwanda.
In September this year, one of the motels and market which are located in suburb of Kigali cities were gutted by a fire outbreak
Both damaged facilities were recently closed as a way of COVID-19 prevention and were yet to be opened at the time of fire outbreak.
In August last year, about a dozen bar and restaurant businesses in Nyabugogo, one of the crowded markets located in the suburb of Kigali city incurred severe losses due to a night fire outbreak.
Three month before about 5 fires were registered especially between January and June last year in the famous carpentry hubs of Gisozi and Kimironko, two suburbs of Kigali city.
Nov 17, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.tmz.com/2020/11/16/gas-pipeline-explosion-mexico-highwa...
GAS PIPELINEEXPLODES ALONG MEXICAN HIGHWAY ...Leaves At Least 6 Dead
11/16/2020 11:44 AM PT
A gas pipeline went up in flames this week along a Mexican highway that killed at least 6 people ... and video of the incident is absolutely horrendous.
It went down Monday in the Mexican city of Jala, right on the edge of a mountain bordering the Tepic-Guadalajara Highway between Chapalilla and Ixtlan del Rio. It's unclear what set off the explosion, but it was big enough to stop a bunch of drivers dead in their tracks.
One video circulating right now shows a couple guys running toward what appears to have been an initial discharge that caused traffic to come to a screeching halt. As they approach, an even bigger explosion goes off ... sending a massive fireball into the air and everyone running for their lives.
Another angle shows the aftermath from a further distance, and it becomes clear pretty quickly just how massive this thing was. There's plumes of black smoke emanating from every which way as the flames rage. It's a terrifying sight, to say the least.
There are different reports on the official body count -- we're seeing estimates from 6 to 14 thus far, plus several other injuries and word of missing people as well. There's also extensive damage to numerous cars that were caught up in the explosion.
Check out this shot of the aftermath -- an entire vehicle is lodged into the side of the charred mountain, and car parts are scattered about everywhere. Pieces of the concrete barrier were blown to smithereens ... demonstrating the ferocity of the impact.
Authorities are said to be on the scene getting a handle on things. Scary stuff
Nov 17, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
Greek tanker damaged in mine explosion off Saudi coast - Offshore E...
Greek tanker damaged in mine explosion off Saudi coast
A Malta-flagged tanker sustained hull damages following a mine explosion in the Red Sea, about 125 miles north of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.
At the time of the incident, which took place on 23 November 2020, the 107,000 dwt Agrari was operating at an oil-fired plant in the Port of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Having completed cargo discharge, the ship was preparing to depart.
The Aframax vessel, able to haul about 700,000 barrels of oil, was holed approximately 1 metre above the waterline, Dryad Global said.
Images provided by Aurora Intel indicate damage on the port side of the vessel which has resulted in a partial breach of the vessel structure resulting in a limited oil spill.
The 2009-built Agrari has been boarded by Saudi authorities and an investigation into the incident has been launched.
Although Agrari’s operator, Greece-based TMS Tankers, said that the ship was attacked by “an unknown source”, the Saudi-led military coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen blamed the rebels for the incident. Unconfirmed sources within the coalition claimed that Houthis launched a water-borne improvised explosive device (WBIED) targeting the tanker.
“Whether this is the result of deliberate targeting or drifting sea mines remains impossible to say at this stage without further verification however early indications are that this was a deliberate attack commensurate with known targeting and attack methodologies,” Dryad Global said.
This is the second such reported incident in the region since a Greek-owned, Malta-flagged Aframax tanker reported being struck by a sea mine whilst loading at the Rudum Terminal off the Yemeni south coast on 3 October 2020.
Previous incidents within the Red Sea have also involved the Iranian-flagged crude oil tanker MT Sabiti. In 2019, the ship suffered explosions and caught fire following a suspected missile attack.
Nov 26, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/watch-massive-explos...
WATCH | Massive explosion at Engen refinery in Durban
Dec 4, 2020
Starr DiGiacomo
Avonmouth chemical tank explosion: four dead after major incident i...
Avonmouth chemical tank explosion: four dead after major incident in Bristol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB5l_ONRzdw&feature=emb_logo
Avonmouth chemical tank explosion: four dead after major incident i...
Four people were killed and one injured when a chemical tank exploded at a waste treatment works on Thursday.
The victims were said to have been standing on top of a silo at a site owned by Wessex Water in Avonmouth, near Bristol, when a blast ripped through it at around 11.20am.
Witnesses as far as half a mile away reported feeling the tremors of the explosion, which was so powerful it partially reduced the roof of the tank to twisted wreckage.
A rescue operation was quickly mounted at the scene by fire crews and police declared a major incident shortly afterwards.
On Thursday evening, however, Ch Insp Mark Runacres of Avon and Somerset Police announced that three employees and one contractor working at the site had been killed.
Search teams reportedly recovered one of the bodies around 150 metres away from the scene of the blast, suggesting its force had thrown the victim a significant distance.
One other person had suffered injuries, but they were not said to be life-threatening.
Speaking at a press conference outside the entrance of the plant, Mr Runacres pledged to get to the bottom of the “tragic incident”, saying: “A thorough investigation will be carried out into what happened today, involving a number of agencies and the Health and Safety executive in due course, and we will not be speculating on the cause of the explosion while such work is being undertaken.
“I can confirm though that this is not being treated as a terror-related incident.”
The chemical tank which exploded was said to have been holding biosolids - organic matter recovered from the treatment of sewage - which was due to be recycled as an organic soil conditioner.
Police sought to play down concerns that there was any ongoing risk to the public, but urged people to continue to “avoid the area if possible”.
One witness, who said he worked in a building around 900 metres away from the waste recycling centre, described how a “shockwave shook the building”.
“The shutter door made the strangest noise I’ve ever heard,” he added.
Another man who had been working around half a mile from the scene said “all our windows rattled”.
Jawad Burhan, who had been in a warehouse directly opposite the site, spoke of his conversation with a distraught worker leaving the scene of the blast.
"I started asking 'what's happening here?' and one of the workers told me there had been a big explosion and he told me that they had one or two missing people, this was around 10 minutes after the explosion,” he told Sky News.
"The worker who was there was inside the warehouse and he told me 'I don't need to talk about this anymore, I lost my colleague and I don't know if I lost more and more' - it's a really bad moment for everyone.”
The plant was set up by Wessex Water in 2009 to operate under the name Geneco and it treats more than 700,000 tonnes of waste every year.
The waste is transformed into “usable products such as biofertilisers and renewable sourced gas and electricity powering many thousands of local homes”, according to Geneco’s website.
Boris Johnson and Priti Patel were among the politicians to offer their condolences in the aftermath of the explosion.
Darren Jones, the MP for Bristol North West, said he was “conscious this is the second serious incident in Avonmouth” in recent weeks, after a major fire at a metal recycling plant.
He said: "Once our emergency services have resolved this incident and helped any injured workers, I’ll be calling on the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive and others to ensure lessons are being learnt for the future.”
Colin Skellett, the chief executive of Wessex Water, said: “We are absolutely devastated that the tragic incident at our site earlier today has resulted in four fatalities.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved.
“We are working with the Health and Safety Executive to understand what happened and why.”
Dec 4, 2020