Authorities in Weld County responded Friday morning to a high-pressure gas line explosion near Kersey that left one person with minor injuries.
The explosion happened about 9 a.m. near the intersection of county roads 50 and 53, the county sheriff’s office said.
“A ditch laying company was laying pipe when they hit the line,” Sgt. Sean Standridge. “As soon as they hit the line it caused a rupture explosion.”
Standridge said the gas did not ignite and that there was no fire after the rupture.
“Big boom, scared me and the cows,” said Christopher Carpio, the owner of Blue Ridge Dairy. “Looked like Old Faithful spewing gas in the air for a good hour.”
The immediate area around the explosion — two miles to the east and two miles to the northwest — was evacuated as the Colorado State Patrol, sheriff’s office and crews from the Platte Valley Fire Authority responded.
Officials say they are unsure of who the line belonged to. Standridge said the line was shut off.
Kersey is located about 10 miles east of Greeley.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or
