Huntingburg dehydration facility at gas storage field destroyed in explosion
Update: An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s office has determined the explosion that destroyed the building and equipment in the explosion yesterday was an accident.
According to Huntingburg Energy Superintendent John Reutepohler, the equipment and building probably constitute about a $50,000 loss.
The city had drawn about half the gas from the storage field prior to the explosion on Monday. At this time they are attempting to determine how they plan on removing the rest of the gas from the field.
Huntingburg – A dehydration facility attached to Huntingburg’s gas storage field was destroyed in an explosion on Monday at about 6:50 p.m.
The dehydration facility is located southwest of Huntingburg on County Road 500 West. The facility removes water that is contained in natural gas as it accumulates with the gas as it changes temperature and pressure.
The building was completely engulfed in flames when the Holland Volunteer Fire Department arrived. Eleven men and four trucks were on scene until about 9:30 p.m.
County Road 500 W was closed from 900 W to 750 S; and County Road 750 South was closed from 400 West to Old State Road 64.
Huntingburg utility crews arrived on the scene and shut off the lines feeding the facility, which reduced the flames and allowed firefighters to control the blaze.
No one was injured in the explosion.
Gas service to Huntingburg gas customers was not affected, but local customers near the facility were without service for a short time. Service was restored at approximately 9:20 p.m. The gas storage field has been capped and is secure.
The field was a way for the city to purchase and store natural gas when market prices were low to offset high prices during peak use in winter months. Last summer the Huntingburg Common Council gave approval for the city gas department to begin the process of removing gas from the storage field to decommission the field.
The decision was made due to the low price of gas and expensive repairs that would have to completed on about 9 miles of 4-inch line.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. According to Holland Assistant Fire Chief John Hemmer, the state fire marshal will be on the scene to investigate Tuesday morning.
The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Huntingburg Gas Utilities, Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services, Holland Deputy Town Marshal, and Dubois Rural Electric Cooperative assisted the Holland Volunteer Fire Department at the scene.
