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Morning News

Federal Authorities Investigating Deadly Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion

Aired August 21, 2000 - 9:05 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Federal investigators are trying to figure out what caused a deadly natural gas pipeline explosion and fire in New Mexico. The blast killed 10 campers and severely burned two others. Authorities say the flames were so intense that sand melted, and the glass and concrete turned to powder.

For more now, let's go to CNN's Jim Hill in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Hi, Jim.

JIM HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

Any time now, we expect investigators to return to this scene, about 30 miles south of Carlsbad, where that huge explosion happened on Saturday. As you say, 10 people killed, two others clinging for life, now, in critical, but stable, condition, at the Burn Center in Lubbock, Texas, about 150 miles from here.

Now, this tragedy occurred about 5:30 in the morning, Saturday, as the dozen campers were fishing along the Pecos River, south of Carlsbad. About 200 yards from their campsite, 200 yards to east, the underground gas main ruptured, unbeknownst to the campers.

Now, something in that camp must have ignited the natural gas. The fireball could be seen from Carlsbad, 30 miles to north. Also, the intense heat charred their automobiles, melted sleeping bags, melted tents, killed six of those campers instantly.

The six survivors were rushed to Lubbock, Texas by helicopter; four of them, though, died along the way, or shortly after arrival. Sadly enough, five of the fatalities were young children.

Now, members of the National Transportation Safety Board, which have jurisdiction in cases like this, are going to determine what caused that underground gas main to rupture in the first place. It was buried some 15 feet underground, at the point of rupture.

They have also to determine what touched off the explosion. Investigators and experts say virtually any spark could have done it. Something from a campfire, a lantern, even two rocks banging together, as people walked over them.

So there is a lot of work to be done here. There is also the possibility, we are told, that because of the intense heat and force of that explosion obliterating a lot of evidence, it is possible, they may never know exactly what touched off that inferno on Saturday.

I am Jim Hill, CNN, reporting live, south of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Jim, thank you.

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