1 Dead in Colonial Gas Pipeline Explosion in Alabama

One person was killed and five others were injured in explosion along the Colonial pipeline Colonial Pipeline in rural Alabama Monday, not far where it burst last month, authorities said. Colonial pipeline said in a written statement Monday night that a contract crew working along a gasoline pipeline in Shelby County "experienced an incident when the trackhoe it was using hit the line." "Gasoline was ignited and caused a fire, which continues to burn," the statement said. Five were taken to Birmingham-area hospitals, the company said. "Our deepest condolences go out tonight to the family and friends of the person who was lost today, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured," the company said. The explosion shortly after 3 p.m. sent flames soaring over the forest about a mile west of where the pipeline burst in September, Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement. That rupture led to gasoline shortages across the South. People within 3 miles of the blast site were being evacuated, the governor said. It was earlier reported that seven injured workers were taken to hospitals for treatment...more