Federal investigators are working “with a sense of urgency” to locate more than 700 pounds of explosives that were stolen last weekend from an Atlantic Sunrise pipeline worksite in Marietta.The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Thursday doubled its reward for information on the theft to $20,000.A federal agent also said the sub-contractor working at the pipeline site could face criminal charges if it’s determined the explosives weren’t secured properly. Local News About 704 pounds of dynamite stolen from Atlantic Sunrise pipeline site; $10K reward for information “ATF is working very diligently and with a sense of urgency in locating these explosives,” Special Agent Charlene Hennessy said in an email Thursday.“The amount stolen is significant and would cause quite a bit of damage” if it exploded, Hennessy said.The ATF, Pennsylvania State Police and Susquehanna Regional Police Department are seeking … [Read more...] about ‘A sense of urgency’: ATF agents flood Lancaster County, offer $20K reward for explosives stolen from pipeline site
Explosions
Explosion obliterates Philadelphia house with father and son inside
PHILADELPHIA — A father and son escaped with minor injuries after a home collapses following a possible gas explosion on Monday night. CBS Philadelphia reports it happened around 7:35 p.m. in the 1200 block of S. 20th Street. Police say they received calls for a house collapse due to a possible gas explosion. Officials tell CBS Philadelphia that a 57-year-old man was washing his hands in the second-floor bathroom when he was blasted onto the first floor. Authorities say the man's 12-year-old son was on the first floor of the residence when the incident occurred. Both victims were treated for non-life threatening injuries. CBS Philadelphia's Chopper 3 was over the scene where debris appears to be scattered in front of the residence. "I came back across the street and I was talking to my next door neighbor and all of a sudden I looked over… I've never seen nothing like that before. It looked like it was something in a movie," said Vivian Black, who lives on the street. … [Read more...] about Explosion obliterates Philadelphia house with father and son inside
Southwest cancels 40 flights to inspect planes after deadly engine explosion
Southwest Airlines had to ground 40 flights scheduled for Sunday as the company scans engines tied to the deadly mid-air accident last week. The cancellations accounted for 1% of the Dallas-based airline’s 4,000 flights scheduled, and wasn’t part of a Federal Aviation Administration directive late last week, according to Southwest. Southwest announced last Tuesday that it would inspect CFM56-7B engines over the next month after one of the motors exploded shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport. “We have minimized flight disruptions this past week through actions such as proactive aircraft routings to cover open trips, performing inspections overnight, and utilizing spare aircraft, when available,” Southwest said in a statement late Sunday. Chuck Schumer claims lax airlines get pass on safety violations National Transportation Safety Board inspectors said an initial scan showed signs of “metal fatigue,” which … [Read more...] about Southwest cancels 40 flights to inspect planes after deadly engine explosion
All explosives stolen from worksite believed recovered
MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) — Law enforcement authorities say they believe they have recovered all of the explosives stolen from a worksite in Pennsylvania.The theft of dynamite and 400 blasting caps from a Gregory General Contracting Company site was reported a week ago .Investigators recovered 320 sticks of dynamite and 404 blasting caps Friday from a creek in East Donegal Township about a mile away from the theft scene.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives originally reported that 700 pounds of dynamite was taken, but Special Agent Don Robinson said officials are "increasingly confident" that the estimate was erroneous and all stolen materials have been recovered.No arrests have been reported. The company is a subcontractor of Williams Partners, which is managing the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project in Lancaster County. … [Read more...] about All explosives stolen from worksite believed recovered
Update: Stolen explosives recovered, but officials uncertain if they have all of it
A tip Friday afternoon from a passer-by walking in a park resulted in the recovery of dynamite and blasting caps stolen last weekend from an Atlantic Sunrise pipeline construction site.Authorities said they recovered 320 sticks of dynamite and 404 detonators abandoned in a creek under a bridge in Riverfront Park, East Donegal Township.The recovered dynamite sticks total “exactly half” of what was originally recorded, while around 400 detonators were believed lost, said Special Agent Charlene Hennessy of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Investigators are looking into the possibility that there was a paperwork error, and the 320 sticks of dynamite are all that were stolen. In the meantime, they’re continuing to treat 320 sticks as unaccounted for, Hennessy said.The ATF is running the investigation, with the cooperation of state and Susquehanna Regional police.Agents are interviewing approximately 900 workers, Hennessy said. About 200 … [Read more...] about Update: Stolen explosives recovered, but officials uncertain if they have all of it