Explosion Rocks Harrison County Power Plant
An explosion at Entergy Corp. - Harrison County Power Plant erupted in the night sky in the early morning hours of Friday, May 13, 2005.
The sky is lit an eery orange and it shutters with the movement of an enormous fire. While the power plant is over 15 miles from my front porch, the glow of the fire is obvious. Emergency personnel are being awakened and put into place to do as much as they can to protect the public from any further danger.
Sheriff's officers observed the smell of noxious fumes upon arrival in the area and immediately began the process of rerouting traffic away from the danger. Vehicles are being diverted to FM 1794 on the Tatum, Panola County side and to US Hwy. 59 on the Harrison County side.
Beckville Volunteer Fire Department was called to assist with traffic control at approximately 2:15 a.m. and to be on alert for help with the fire.
Harrison County FD, Carthage VFD, Clayton VFD, Tatum VFD were all called in to bring water and all available equipment to the location.
At 3:32 a.m., the main valve to this gas substation was shut off by Mr. Williams of Gulf South. The explosion was at a convergence of multiple 36" gas lines located in the Sabine Mining Field. Only one injury has been reported and the gas company employee has been taken to Marshall Regional Hospital for treatment. He did sustain burns but it is not know whether he was at the location when the explosion happened.
Posted by: Angela Stone on May 13, 2005 04:38 AMMany Beckville residents will recall a similar explosion in June 1999. On Hwy 124 West across from Mr. Searcy's home, an explosion reverberated through the community. Reports indicate that tonight's explosion was 10 times the intensity of the 1999 explosion. Most likely, becase of the feeder lines leading into the Seattle station and the size of the pipe. Gas flow had to be shut off 10 miles away from the location and the remaining gas has been allowed to burn off. Reports of the 2005 explosion have come from as far away as Gilmer. The flames were visible at least 50 miles away.
Posted by: Angela Stone on May 13, 2005 04:43 AMAngela, I called the water dept. this morning and tried to reach someone to tell them that this wasn't a Duke Energy facility so that you could correct this statement. I just came online and see that it still hasn't been corrected and I know that you don't want to be a party to misinformation.
I watched the Channel 12 news this morning and they just reported it as a gas explosion and never gave a company name but I do know it's not Duke.
Thank you for correcting this.
