BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- At approximately 11:40 a.m., Base Emergency Personnel in coordination with Louisiana State Police responded to a natural gas pipeline explosion on the East Reservation of Barksdale Air Force Base.
Two contracted personnel from Energy Transfer LP sustained injuries as a result of the explosion and were transported to a local medical facility for care. The status of the two hospitalized members is unknown at this time.
“The safety of all those in our community is a top priority,” said Col Scott Weyermuller, 2d Bomb Wing Base Commander. “The swift response of our emergency management teams and our community partners played a critical role in minimizing the impact to the installation and local area.”
A small fire followed impacting approximately half an acre of land, with no further damage to installation property. The incident is unrelated to controlled detonations that occurred on Barksdale Air Force Base today, and ongoing I-220 construction.
For more information, call the 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at 318-456-1015 or email 2BW.PA@us.af.mil.
For the status of the injured contact Energy Transfer LP at media@energytransfer.com, 214-840-5820.