Savannah Rockwin

Comm331-Explosion
April 19th, 2017

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.- The Calnev Pipeline, which can carry more than 3.3
million gallons of fuel, jet fuel, and gasoline, exploded Wednesday shortly after 8 a.m.

The explosion killed two people and left several others severely injured in the
neighborhood bounded by Duffy Street and Highland Ave, according to fire department
spokesman Paul Allaire.

One body was burned beyond recognition. The other victim is believed to be a man.
Firefighters are looking for a third victim in the home.

The blast forced about 700 people to evacuate to the Red Cross evacuation center, set up
at Job Corps Center on 3753 Kerry Street.

About 2 weeks ago, a 69-car runaway freight train was derailed in the same area,
crashing into a string of homes consequentially killing 4 people, said police spokesman
Gary Fahmestrok.

San Bernardino city attorney Jim Penman examined the damage this morning in a
helicopter. The pipeline company assured City officials that it was safe after the railroad
accident, he said.

The experts who examined it {the damage of the train wreck} said there was no danger.

According to an official of the Calnev gas company, the cause of the pipeline break is still
unclear and could possibly have been a result of the train wreck.

The explosion was caused by the 14-inch gasoline pipeline that ruptured. The pipeline,
which is buried six feet underground. Carries unleaded fuel from Colton to Nevada. It
sprayed fuel on the houses when it ruptured.

General Manager of the Calnev pipeline Jed Robinson said a valve near the fire may not
be completely closed, and that could influence the time it takes to put out the fire.

With that kind of a volatile fuel, you have to use some sort of foam. Normally where this
is not an awful lot of fuel, you just contain it and try and let it burn out. I dont know how
much fuel is in the pipe

This catastrophe is not the first disaster residents of this community have endured, nor the
first time this pipeline has ruptured. The 1980 explosion in Las Vegas Valley allowed up
to 100,000 gallons of fuel to spill for two hours.
A student at San Bernardino Valley College and resident of the area said she hasnt
attended school since the railroad disaster because she has been afraid to leave her
children at home.

Thank God I didnt go to my class at 8 oclock this morning. I ran to the bedroom and
got my daughter and grandson out, then I started looking for my pets, and then I just had
to get out. Everything I own was in that house.

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