Gas pipeline bursts into flames near Khairpur

By Imtiaz Hussainhttp://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=5298KHAIRPUR: Supply to Karachi was suspended following a 16-inch gas pipeline burst into flames in Deh Dund near here on Tuesday afternoon. The authorities were waiting for flames to die down to start the repair work, it is learnt.The supply was suspended from the main line to prevent the fire from spreading. The pipeline caught fire near village Hussain Patto in the Faiz Gunj Taluka after a loud explosion, villagers said. The police rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area and called the gas officials. All the policemen and the Sui gas staff within a radius of 20 kms have been alerted. The Bomb disposal Squad has been called but due to the severe heat, they put off the inspection of the site.The gas authorities said after four to five hours the gas pressure will reduce and then they will be able to repair the damaged pipeline and try to find out the cause of the incident. They said for the time being they are not in a position to say whether the pipeline was damaged by the miscreants or it ruptured due to the heavy pressure.