Gas Line Ruptures, Catches Fire

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) -- A natural gas line ruptured in Edmond Friday afternoon, sending flames up to 100 feet in the air and sparking a small grass fire.<br/><br/>A backhoe operator apparently hit the line,

Friday, September 1st 2006, 11:02 am

By: News On 6

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) -- A natural gas line ruptured in Edmond Friday afternoon, sending flames up to 100 feet in the air and sparking a small grass fire.

A backhoe operator apparently hit the line, and video images showed the backhoe engulfed in flames. A spokeswoman for EMSA in Oklahoma City says there were no injuries reported from the incident, and Edmond fire crews quickly contained the grass fire.

Oklahoma Natural Gas vice president of operations Steve Wood says the valve was turned off for the gas shortly after the break to allow crews to work on repairs. About 20 customers remained without gas service Friday afternoon, and Wood says those customers should have service restored by early Saturday.

A spokeswoman for the city says an estimated 900 homes initially lost electrical service after flames burned overhead power lines.

But Edmond Electric director Charlie Burgett says most of those customers had their power restored by Friday afternoon.