(Updates follow the story) News this morning of a gas line explosion outside Appomattox on 26. Roads are blocked going out onto 26. Reports are that, following the explosion, a strange cloud came and then rain. It appears that one home was destroyed, but many residents in the area were able to escape by car. Fire was visible in the sky from several miles away, and the explosion was felt in Buckingham County. Please turn to WDBJ or WSET for news. We will have more information for you when it comes available.
UPDATE: Appomattox County fire departments, the Sheriff’s Department and State Police are on the scene, according to ABC 13 (WSET). Transco Gas Pipeline pumping station in Appomattox County is the object of the explosion, may be the building that exploded. More to come…
UPDATE: Apparently, many fire and rescue operations cannot reach parts of the affected area because of the continued presence of gas. Residents have been advised to stay indoors and to bring pets indoors, as the gas that has leaked is spreading with the wind.
Some people left their homes and walked – one man observed with a burnt and cut face. The rescue squad is trying to reach people, several ambulances observed leaving the area towards Lynchburg.
The house that exploded belonged to a woman who was a cook at the county jail. Four people were known to be in her house. Reports of many who fled homes in pajamas and bathrobes. Flames shot 150 feet above treetops, according to Mildred Hubbard, who lives directly across the street from the T-VA. – this latest update submitted by Cheryl Rychkova.
UPDATE: ABC13 (http://www.wset.com/) reports that the explosion occurred about 7:45 Sunday morning, that there were no fatalities, and fire was contained just before 9:00 am by the Appomattox Fire Department. The section of pipeline blew a 15-foot crater in the ground. Residents in the area, according to ABC13 were sent to the Appomattox Community Center.
WSLS10 in Roanoke (http://www.wsls.com/) reported that the explosion destroyed two hourses and injured one person. County Sheriff Wilson Staples said there have been no deaths and one injury.