Situation under control after pipeline explosion in Ellsworth County, no injuries reported

ELLSWORTH, Kan. (KSNW, AP) - Fire and emergency crews were on the scene of a large pipeline explosion in Ellsworth County Thursday afternoon.

The Associated Press reported no one was hurt in the natural gas pipeline explosion.

A large plume of fire was seen by motorists on nearby Interstate 70 about 15 miles northeast of the city of Ellsworth. There were no people or livestock around the pipeline when it exploded at 1:45 p.m.

Bob Kepka with the Ellsworth Fire Department said flames were visible in Lincoln, Kansas about 30 miles away. Debris from the pipeline was also seen scattered in the area as the aftermath of the explosion.

A rep with Northern Natural Gas said they do not know what the cause of the explosion is at this point. The pipeline is currently under repair and is empty of any natural gas at this point. The gas company stated there is no threat to the public.

A grass fire ignited by the explosion also was brought under control. A local rancher was seen helping move cattle off the property to avoid any more potential dangers to livestock.

Emergency manager Keith Haberer says pipeline owner Northern Natural Gas shut off gas to the pipeline to put out the flames.

Earlier, Mark Leoffler, a spokesman with Northern Natural Gas, told KSN News the line is a natural gas line and is one of several that run in parallel with other pipelines from different parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, north to Nebraska, and Iowa.

Video below courtesy Jeremy Diehl