Got Gas? What would you do?

[NJFFSA16]

Pray? Head the other way? Spray LOTS of foam? Check for people smoking in the area? All of the above?


TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - An underground pipeline carrying gasoline
from Texas to Arizona burst near a construction site and sent about
10,000 gallons spewing into the air.
Tucson Fire Department Deputy Chief Randy Ogden said no one was
hurt in the accident, but officials are trying to determine what
caused the 8-inch high pressure line to break.
The Kinder Morgan pipeline carries about 450 million gallons of
gasoline from El Paso, Texas, to Tucson and Phoenix, according to
the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures.
The line burst about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday and sent gasoline 50
feet into the air, fire officials said.
As the fuel traveled down a wash, it doused five homes that were
being built nearby, authorities said.
Construction workers were evacuated during the emergency and the
line remains shut down, officials said.
Tucson firefighters have sprayed foam in certain areas and will
also let the gasoline evaporate in others, Ogden said.
"I don't know how long it will take to do the cleanup and make
sure the scene is secure and safe," Ogden said. "Gasoline vapors
are very explosive and gasoline liquid is very flammable."
The Tucson Fire Department is handling the immediate clean up
but the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has been
notified of the incident, said agency spokesman Patrick Gibbons.
Rick Rainey, spokesman for Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP. of
Houston said the firm is working with Arizona officials to respond
to the incident.
"Right now they need to control the hazard; when it comes time
to clean it up, we'll make sure it's cleaned up properly," Gibbons
said.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Armyfirerescue]

Put head between knees and...

Well, I think I'd do pretty much what the FD did in this case. They evacuated around the incident, foamed certain parts, and left the rest to evaporate. I'm sure they monitored the entire scene and had enough resources staged far enough back to react in case something happened. Everyone is very lucky that nothing ignited those vapors, especially with the gasoline dousing a construction site. That would have been catastrophic. It doesn't mention exactly what kind of terrain is involved here, not sure if this is a residential area (though I would assume it is since they said homes were being built). It also doesn't say anything about water sources around the area, possible ground water contamination, things like that. The EPA is going to have a field day with this one, sure hope gas prices don't go up . Well, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Stay safe brothers,

Matt