W.Va. gas line explodes, burns homes, roads
SISSONVILLE, W.Va. — A major gas line has exploded in West Virginia, burning five homes and shutting down a stretch of Interstate 77 in Sissonville, near Charleston.
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said flames shot 50 to 75 feet high before the fire was put out around 2 p.m. Tuesday. He said it wasn’t clear whether anyone had been hurt.
Sissonville Fire Chief Tim Gooch said patients at a nursing home not far from the blast, near Sissonville, are safe.
Gooch said all the burning structures appeared to be residential. He said the heat and fire were so intense that firefighters couldn’t immediately get close.
State Police Sgt. Michael Baylous said the blast occurred about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday. Crews were working to shut off the pipeline.