Dispatch calls for Salem Twp. gas line explosion: ‘This fire's massive'

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Moments after a gas line explosion in Salem Township, Westmoreland County, phone calls began to pour in to emergency responders.

Witnesses told Channel 11 News that the heat and fire near Route 22 was so intense that they thought a bomb went off.

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"We've had numerous calls. First one was from Murray Electric. They heard a loud boom. Field on fire,” one dispatcher reported.

Homes half a mile around the site were evacuated in order for the gas lines to be turned off and the fire brought under control. %

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However, crews initially called to the scene worried the fire would grow out of control.

"We've got numerous calls. We've gotten one from Lieutenant 41 reporting a gas well explosion. Another one from Trees Mills Road, saying their house is shaking. They can smell gas in the area,” another dispatcher said.

Once at the site of the explosion, responders reported the size of the fire.

“This fire's massive. It looks like the whole well had let loose. We're going to have to prevent this fire up here,” a dispatcher said.

The first priority was evacuations.

"When you get up close to Route 22, evacuate everybody from the BP station and anything over in that area and get them a mile away,” a dispatcher said.

The fire made it difficult for responding crews to reach it.

“We can't get through here. The fire's blowing all the way across 819,” another dispatcher said.

Firefighters reported back saying they couldn’t begin to fight the flames, which were reaching into the air, until the gas was shut off.

“There's really nothing we can do until the gas company shuts the fuel off to that pipeline hen. We're just going to have to make sure (that) everything around it and keep an eye on the exposures. We can't even put water on it, and we can't get close to the exposures on this side,” one crew member said.

One person was burned, and was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital for treatment. The condition of the victim was not known, but friends were collecting donations for him and his family at the Circleville Fire Hall.

Cox Media Group