SAN ANTONIO - CPS Energy has launched an investigation after a construction crew ruptured a natural gas line Wednesday morning. The ruptured natural gas line hatched a towering fire that could be seen for miles and melted nearby cars. No injuries were reported.
The explosion and fire happened around 10:15 a.m. near the intersection of Blanco and Huebner on the Far North Side. The blaze forced neighboring businesses to evacuate and shut off utilities in a radius upward of a mile. The morning fire had been extinguished by noon.
Investigators say a construction crew from Chapman Excavation hit the gas line while digging. The fireball caused by the subsequent explosion shot more than 60 feet into the air.
Watch News 4 WOAI viewer Lee Carsten's video here.According to San Antonio fire chief Charles Hood, the fire started when a trenching machine cut a 30-inch gas main. He said about 500 pounds of natural gas was fueling the fire.
"I see the whole thing is in flames. I was scared," said CVS Pharmacist Al Azad. "The people came in and said 'You have to evacuate right away.'"
Azad told News 4 WOAI he and six others were forced to leave the pharmacy for their own safety.
"As soon as you go in the front of the store. I could feel the heat coming out. It was crazy," Azad said.
As firefighters worked to contain the fire, other crews shut down neighboring businesses, blocked off streets, and cut off power.
CPS Energy officials want to know how the private construction crew missed markers for the gas line. A spokesperson from CPS Energy said the agency is launching an investigation into what happened.
