State, parish declare State of Emergency ahead of dual tropical threats
August 22, 2020
Looking ahead: Nicholls volleyball team ready to ‘fight’ when season resumes
August 22, 2020
A spokesman with the Houma Police Department said crews working to install a new utilities poles in downtown Houma struck a gas line at the corner of Belanger and Roussell, which exploded.
The fire has been extinguished, gas has been cut to that line and there were no injuries. Area businesses are currently without phones or internet service.
UPDATE FROM HOUMA FIRE DEPARTMENT:
At approximately 7:45 am on August 22, 2020 Houma Fire Department was dispatched to a ruptured gas line on fire.
Crews arrived to find an Electrical Utility crew working and with some equipment struck a pressured natural gas line causing a leak which then caught fire. The line produced an approximate 10 foot flame which then caught a utility pole on fire. No one from the utility crew was injured in the accident. The utility pole, power lines and other equipment attached did have significant damage. Fire units were able to deploy multiple cooling lines to keep nearby structures and equipment cool until the gas supply was secured by TPCG Gas department.
The fire did cause damage to one of the utility vehicles but Fire units were able to keep that to a minimum once on-scene.
The cause of this incident is under investigation.
photos courtesy of Tommy Guarisco, Downtown Jeaux.
