JUNCTION CITY, Ky. — (WHAS11)-The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on a massive pipeline explosion in Lincoln County that killed one and injured five people.
According to the report, the rupture released about 66 million cubic feet of natural gas which ignited.
The fire destroyed five nearby residences, damaged 14 other residences, and burned about 30 acres of land including railroad tracks owned and operated by Norfolk Southern Corporation.
As a result of the explosion, a 33.2-foot-long section of the pipeline was ejected and landed 481 feet southwest of the rupture site.
The NTSB investigation is ongoing. While on the scene, investigators collected sections of the pipeline for metallurgical analysis and testing.
Enbridge released a statement regarding the preliminary report: "Enbridge continues to support the NTSB in its investigation. We are committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of our infrastructure across North America and we are eager to take the learnings of NTSB’s forthcoming final report and apply them to our comprehensive operations and maintenance practices and programs moving forward.”
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