Jul 26, 2007 9:36 am US/Central
Investigation Into Texas Gas Explosion Begins
DALLAS (CBS) ―
A five-person team of federal chemical safety inspectors arrived on the scene of a charred Southwest Industrial Gasses where a malfunctioned cylinder ignited thousands of cubic feet of gases Wednesday morning.
The investigators will scour the area, sifting through debris and interviewing employees, the agency's Robert Hall said as the team showed up about 7:15 a.m. CDT.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board recommends a system to cool cylinders in case of fire, but the Dallas business did not have that equipment.
The co-owner and manager used water hoses to cool the cylinders after the initial spark that led to explosions that set off bursts of flames and a stack of black smoke that could be seen for miles.
Wednesday's fire will likely now become part of their study as they look for ways to prevent future catastrophes, officials said.
"We will examine physical evidence, examine documents – if any remain," Hall explained.
"We've got a lot of work to do because there is so much destruction."
They could be in town up to two weeks, but it will take up to a year before they have completed their report and recommendations.
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