Residents returning home after gas pipeline catches fire in Marrero
By Times-Picayune Staff
October 03, 2009, 1:44PM
A giant ball of fire covers most of 4th Street near the intersection of Ames Boulevard on Saturday.
About 40 apartments at the St. Bakhita complex were evacuated as a precautionary measure after a fire in a gas pipeline in the 4000 block of Fourth Street at Ames Boulevard, authorities said. The $22 million apartment complex opened in April.
No one was injured in the incident that was reported around 10:25 a.m. Chief Rickie Eslick of the Marrero-Ragusa Volunteer Fire Department said that residents were allowed to return aroiund 12:30 p.m.
Eslick said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Atmos Energy officials said they received a report shortly after 10:30 a.m. of a fire near an 18-inch main gas line that runs long Fourth Street. Company officials said they believe that a gas leak from the pipe was ignited by overhanging Entergy powerlines, causing the explosion and fire.
Entergy officials could not be reached for comment.
Complete story at: http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/post_41.html
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