Early this morning at 06:40 units from Station 3 were alerted for a possible explosion in the area of Rilland Court off of Carroll Mill Road. While units were responding, Howard County Communications advised that they were receiving multiple calls from residents in the area about hearing a noise like a jet engine. Units responded to the Williams Transco gas pipeline located at 11910 Carroll Mill Road and found that there was a relief valve malfunction from a high pressure gas line that was venting natural gas into the atmosphere. Personnel from Williams responded to close the valve and mitigate the leak. Chief 3A held the command, and units cleared at 07:20.
Transco is one of three natural gas pipelines operated by Williams and contains 10,000 miles of pipe stretching from South Texas to New York City. It is a major provider of natural gas to the northeastern and southeastern United States.
