On Wednesday, November 28th at approximately 5:00 pm CDT, a large fire and release of crude oil in an unknown amount at a Minnesota pipeline was reported to the National Response Center (NRC). The release came from a 34 inch pipeline located in Clearbrook, MN that was under repair by two maintenance workers when fumes leaking from the line apparently ignited. The two workers were killed in the ensuing fire. Crude oil also leaking from the line caught fire but the burning oil was contained to the repair excavation. The fire burned for several hours but was reported as being extinguished at 6:00 am local time Thursday morning and Enbridge Energy, the owner of the pipeline, estimates that 1000 barrels of crude oil were released.
The original fire was reported at approximately 3:50 pm local time on Wednesday. Several fire departments responded and a total of 3 residental homes were evacuated. The residents remain out of their homes at this time. Clearwater County Road 3 was closed due to the fire.
OSC Sonia Vega is on route to the scene.
