Photos: W.Virginia Gas Line Explodes, Burns Homes And Roads

Flames burn from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a natural gas explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

A natural gas pipe near Charleston, West Virginia had exploded in flames and caused huge fire that damaged roads, buildings and houses.

The massive flames shoot 50 to 75 feet into the air before the fire was extinguished.

The explosion occurred between Sissonville and Pocatalico in a 20-inch transmission line owned by NiSource Inc.

The incident happened at about 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday.

Associated Press reported that four homes went up in flames and collapsed in charred heaps after an inferno that was caused by the explosion raged for at least an hour, melting guardrails and pavement on a swath of Interstate 77. 

Five other homes had extensive external damage.

Interstate 77  was badly damaged and was closed to traffic in both directions.

The blaze’s extreme heat appeared to have shifted a bridge on the interstate.

Several people who lives around the area were injured.

This is a disaster.

(Please click the photos for bigger images)

Firetrucks are ready as flames from a gas line explosion riase near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions. (AP Photo/The Charleston Gazette/Rusty Marks)

Flames are seen from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

Flames fill the sky from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

This image provided by the West Virginia State Police shows a fireball erupting across Interstate 77 from a gas line explosion in Sissonville, W. Va.,Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a natural gas explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/West Virginia State Police)

This image provided by the Kanawha County Emergency Services shows flames erupting across Interstate 77 from a gas line explosion in Sissonville, W. Va., Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a major gas line explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/Kanawha County Emergency Services)

A helicopter files above flames from a gas line explosion across Interstate 77 near Sissonville, W.Va., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. At least five homes went up in flames Tuesday afternoon and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a natural gas explosion triggered an hour-long inferno that officials say spanned about a quarter-mile. (AP Photo/Joe Long)

The Mystery of The Deforested Woods (Chapter 5: Interviews)

Please click here for, The Mystery of The Deforested Woods (Chapter 4: Trip To Russia)

The next day, the four friends had a meeting in Mic’s garden to discuss about the mystery. “I found nothing in Russia that can help us to solve this mystery,” said Mic. “No clues and no information. Furthermore I can’t speak Russian, so it was hard for me to communicate with the Russians over there. So I think we’ll have to get more clues here in Woodsland. And the answers from Akbar couldn’t help us at all. He said he had never come here before, and this is the first trip to Woodsland that he had ever made. So, I don’t think my trip to Russia can help us in solving this mystery,” continued Mic.

They then decided to go to the woods to search for more clues. As they walked near the woods, they saw two men walking from the woods. One was small, slim and dark with white hair and the other was tall, big and red headed. Pete asked the first man, “Good morning, sir. Sorry for interrupting you, but do you know the person who had cut down the trees in the woods or do you know someone who might have done it?”

“No,” said the man looking angrily at Mic, “and stop playing in the woods. This is a dangerous place,” he continued in a croaked voice. He walked towards his big truck, stated the engine and drove away.

Mic walked to the second man, “Excuse me, sir. Do you know someone who might have cut down the trees in the woods?”

The man looked at them with a warm smile. Then he answered in a kind and soft voice, “I wish that I can help you but sorry, I have no idea. It is nice to know that you care about the trees in this woods. Maybe you could take a look around this place for some clues. By the way, I’m Steve Black, the fisherman.”

“Thanks, Mr. Black,” said Mic. ” I am Michael Alvernda. It’s very nice to meet you.”

They all went into the woods and inspected the trees around them. Then they reached an area where the thick bushes stopped them from going further. Suddenly they heard some rustling sound in the bushes. They stood back, scared and wondering what could it be. They were about to run away when they saw a man behind the bushes. He saw the children and walked out from the bushes.

He then walked towards them and introduced himself, “Hi, I am Rupert Alexender Marmet. I am a botanist from Australia. I am studying the plants in this woods. Do you like plants too?” They asked him a lot of questions and the kind botanist was happy to answer their questions. He showed them photos of some wonderful plants that he saw in the woods.

Then he asked them, “It seems that someone had cut down a lot of trees around the woods especially that area,” he said pointing to the area where they came from. “Do you know who did it and why?” The children told him that they were also asking the same questions too. The botanist said, “Well, I have to go now. I really enjoyed talking to all of you and hope that you can solve the mystery of who cut the beautiful trees and why; so that we can stop the person from destroying this beautiful woods. I hope we’ll meet again soon. Goodbye!”

“So, what’s next, Pete?” asked Mic after Rupert left them.

“I think we’ll go and ask  a friend of mine if he knows anything about what had happened in the woods as he lives nearby,” answered Pete. “It’s better to ask someone we know than someone we don’t.” And so they all went to the house of Pete’s German friend named Frederick. But he told them that he did not know much about it. He only read about it from a newspaper. Frederick explained that it was against the law to cut down trees in the woods.

Instead of giving them clues, he served them chocolate ice-cream that he made all by himself. The ice-cream was so delicious and creamy and the four children really enjoyed the tasty ice-cream. Soon, they said goodbye to Frederick and walked to a nearby riverbank to discuss about what had happened.

Suddenly they heard footsteps from behind them. They looked behind them but they could not see anything. After a while, they heard clattering noise from the woods across the river. They looked up and saw a few trees started to fall down to the ground on the other side of the river.

To be continued …

Please click here for, The Mystery Of The deforested Woods (Chapter 6: The Actions)

12.12.12!