Colonial's Gasoline, Distillate Lines Shut After Explosion, Fire In Alabama

Colonial Pipeline Co [COLPI.UL] shut down both of its main gasoline and distillates pipelines on Monday following an explosion and fire in Shelby County, Alabama, near the site of a gasoline spill last month. A segment of the pipeline was undergoing maintenance on Monday afternoon when it exploded, resulting in several workers suffering serious injuries, according to the Shelby County sheriff's office. The number of those injured is believed to be less than ten, the sheriff's office said. The explosion occurred near Highway 13 and River Road, the Shelby County sheriff's department said. The fire was still burning as of 6:15 p.m EDT (2215 GMT). Colonial said company personnel and emergency crews were responding to the incident. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said they were aware of the incident and also had personnel en route to the site. Colonial Pipeline experienced a spill in Shelby County on Sept. 9, which leaked between 6,000 to 8,000 barrels of gasoline. The pipeline was out of service for more than 12 days following that incident, and drove up gasoline prices at the pump in the U.S. Southeast. [nL2N1BQ18G]