Texas town remains evacuated 1 day after pipeline explosion

A rural town in the US state of Texas remained evacuated for a second day on Friday due to a pipeline explosion and the ensuing fire, local media reported. The explosion occurred Thursday morning at an active drill site near Milford, about 80 km south of Dallas, when crew working at a Chevron drill rig punctured a liquid petroleum gas line. The whole town of Milford was evacuated hours later as a precaution. Deputies escorted some Milford residents briefly to their homes Friday to collect medication and check on pets, the Dallas Morning News reported. Sheriff's spokeswoman Jo Ann Livingston said the evacuation order remained in effect Friday night for the area within 1.5 mile (2.4 km) radius from the pipeline puncture. No injuries were reported in the incident and officials said all personnel working on the site have been accounted for. The only damage was to some work vehicles. Officials on Thursday said the gas through that line has been cut off. Emergency coordinators are waiting for the fire to subside before they even consider approaching it. The fire was reportedly burning through Friday. Chevron crew were working to patch the punctured pipeline. There is no word yet on when the Milford residents, around 700 people in total, can return to their homes.