Updated 2:51 p.m. 12/25/2020
On Thursday afternoon, a gas pipeline explosion caused a huge fireball and dark black smoke just south of Lyons, Nebraska in Burt County. The explosion could be seen for miles.
Mike Loeffler, a spokesperson for Northern Natural Gas confirmed the explosion and fire and said that it is still burning, but isolated. He said that standard procedure is to cap the gas lines and let the fire burn out. No injuries have been reported.
Loeffler told reporter Isabella Basco that these incidents are rare and that very few customers will be affected. He said there is no estimate of the cost to repair the pipeline.
The company said there is no danger to area residents and no plan to conduct any evacuations. Loeffler said there were only minor road closures near the site.
Friday, Loeffler said Northern Natural gas was replacing the pipeline segment. He expects the repair will be complete no later than Saturday. Only one impacted customer remains, he said.
