3 dead in explosion at Louisiana gas facility
GIBSON, La. -- State police say three workers have died from an explosion and fire at a natural gas facility along a small highway near the oil and gas city of Houma.
State police Trooper Evan Harrell said the bodies of three workers were found following Thursday's explosion. He says two other workers were seriously injured.
The explosion erupted about 11 a.m. at a facility owned by the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Williams Partners, a major natural gas supplier.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
CBS affiliate WWL in New Orleans reported the workers were doing maintenance on the facility, which was not operational at the time and did not have gas flowing through the system, according to Williams Partners officials.
"We are deeply saddened by reports of serious injuries to personnel working at the scene," Warren Toups, Williams operations manager, said in a news release. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this very critical time."
Authorities initially reported that a pipeline had exploded. But after an initial inspection, company officials said they suspect the source was a tank that collects hydrocarbons that build up within natural gas pipelines.
Black smoke billowed from the facility hours after the explosion. Officials said the smoke posed no health risks but WWL reported people who live nearby were advised to remain inside their homes.