CCFD lifts shelter-in-place alert following pipeline explosion at nearby refinery

UPDATE:

According to the Corpus Christi Fire Department, a stay-at-home order for the neighborhoods near Up River Road and McBride Lane was lifted on May 30, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

ORIGINAL:

The Corpus Christi Police Department is asking residents to shelter in place, and traffic is being diverted near Up River Road and McBride Lane after a pipeline exploded at a nearby refinery.

According to CCPD, crews are working on a gas line explosion at Up River Rd and McBride Ln., and several lanes of traffic have been closed.

“It was a gas line leak. It wasn't a municipal line. It was on the petrochemical side,” said Chief Billy Belyeu of the Corpus Christi Fire Department.

Authorities say a 16-inch pipe ruptured at a local refinery around 2:44 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

“We have not yet identified who this lineage belongs to. It may take some time,” added Chief Belyeu.

Crews were carrying out maintenance work on this line which caused the break. Two workers were injured following Thursday's explosion.

Chief Belyeu says minimal evacuations have been ordered, mainly just three homes in the Donna Park neighborhood. Other families in the area chose to self-evacuate while other residents sheltered in place.

This is a developing story; check back with KRIS 6 News for more details.