Natural Gas Line Explodes After Car Crash

A one-car accident led to a large explosion and fire in northern Durham County near Orange County late Monday evening.

Durham County authorities said that the vehicle hit a transformer in the Hardscrabble neighborhood near the intersection of Old Buggy Trail and St. Mary's Road around 10:30 p.m., knocking out power to several homes in Durham and Orange counties and causing a natural gas leak nearby. The gas exploded, causing the gas line to erupt in flames.

There were no residences in the immediate area of the fire and there were no evacuations. An unknown number of people lost power and natural gas service. There was no word on when those services would be restored to all customers

PSNC crews isolated the affected line about 11:45 p.m. and the fire dissipated within a couple of hours. PSNC officials said they would remain at the site

One person was confirmed inside the vehicle during the accident, said authorities. They were ejected from the car and were taken to an area hospital, where their condition is unknown. There is no word of other injuries as a result of the explosion or fire.