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A Village Evacuated After Explosion hits Baltic gas pipeline in Lithuania

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BNN Correspondents
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A Village Evacuated After Explosion hits Baltic gas pipeline in Lithuania

Friday's explosion of a gas pipeline linking Lithuania and Latvia resulted in a fireball that could be seen for 17 kilometers away. The gas grid operator in Lithuania is investigating into the explosion, and foul play is not thought to be a factor.

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According to a statement from grid operator Amber Grid, the explosion happened along a pipeline in the Pasvalys area of Lithuania.

One of two parallel lines was damaged by the explosion. Gas supplies to Pasvalys residents would resume through the undamaged pipe, according to the firm, which added that it immediately stopped the flow of gas following the event.

Firefighting units were sent to put out the fire, but they struggled because the last of the gas in the line was still burning. About 50 meters (160 feet) of flames soared into the air, and they could be seen from 17 kilometers (11 miles) away.

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Apparently, police advised the 250 or so residents of the adjoining village of Valakeliai to leave their homes after evacuating the area as a precaution.

Following the extinguishment of the fire, according to Amber Grid Director Nemunas Biknius, an investigation will be initiated.

While there hasn't been any indication of a "malicious occurrence," he continued, the organization will nevertheless look into the potential.

The pipeline supplies gas to northern areas of Lithuania and then into Latvia. Energy Minister Raimonds Cudars claimed that there were no supply issues on the Latvian side.

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