Aaron Franklin

June 29, 2016 @2:00 p.m.

Fire in San Bernardino causes deaths
SAN BERNARDINO, Ca. (The Sun)At 8:11 a.m., an explosion occurred in a local San
Bernardino neighborhood causing flames to engulf seven homes. 700 people were evacuated.
The site of the explosion was the block bounded by Duffy Street and Highland Avenue.
Emergency personnel are working in the area to put out the fire and transport those that have
been injured to proper medical care facilities.
11 burn victims have been transported to San Bernardino County Medical Center, according to
hospital officials. The conditions of the victims have not been released. However, medical
personnel confirm that at least one person is in critical condition.
Firefighters report that two residents have died in one of the homes on Duffy Street. A third
victim was reported to be in the home at the time; however, firefighters have not located the
other victim. Their identities have not officially been confirmed or released.
Residents in the immediate area are being taken to the Red Cross evacuation center, which has
been set up at the Job Corps Center located at 3753 Kerry St. It is yet to be determined how long
residents must wait before they are allowed back into their homes or when Highland Avenue will
be open for vehicles.
The fire was started when an underground Calnev gas company pipeline ruptured and sprayed
fuel on the Duffy Street houses. The pipeline carries unleaded fuel from Colton, California to Las
Vegas, Nevada.
The fire was so intense that it was burning the cement outside the homes, according to those who
saw it.
I ran to the window and looked out and could see nothing but smoke; then we both hit the
floorWhen she opened the door the smoke just started rolling in. We looked outside. The grass
was burning green grass burning. Everything was burning, even the concrete, said Bill
Stewart, an insurance agent, who was visiting a client in the area.
The cause of the rupture has not yet been identified. Representatives of the Calvev gas company
have speculated that the rupture was caused by a freight train, which derailed and crashed into a
string of homes on the same block as the fire. This incident occurred two weeks ago and was
responsible for the death of two crew members and two boys in a Duffy Street home.
We dont know the cause of the break. It could have been the train, obviously, said David
Andries, spokesperson for Calnev.

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There was an investigation that occurred after the train derailed to ensure that no work needed to
be conducted on the pipeline. The conclusions of this investigation are not available; however,
the pipeline did not undergo subsequent repairs.
San Bernardino City Attorney Jim Penman said, We were assured by the pipeline people it was
safe [after the railroad incident] and the experts who examined it said there was no danger.
The pipeline is supposed to have safety mechanisms in place to ensure the pipe does not leak
fuel. Calnev pipeline general manager Jed Robinson said valves along the pipeline fall into place
whenever anything starts to flow backward. A valve may not have completely closed, causing
pressure to build and the eventual rupture of the pipeline.
This is not the first time the Calnev company pipeline has ruptured. On December 22, 1980, a
pipeline carrying jet fuel ruptured in the Las Vegas Valley, spilling fuel for two hours. An
estimated 50,000 to 100,000 U.S. gallons of fuel were spilled. Prior construction in the area was
suspected to have damaged the pipeline.
Firefighters at the scene have not yet investigated the fire; they are prioritizing evacuating
residents and extinguishing the flames.