WASHINGTON COUNTY – An explosion and resulting pipeline fire in rural Washington County occurred on Saturday, and officials say that no one was injured and no threat to the public persists.

According to Washington County Emergency Management, on Saturday morning, at around 10:50am, the Washington County Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting the explosion and large fire in the 2000 block of 325th St. in rural Washington County.

Upon arrival, the Washington Fire Department established Incident Command, coupled with additional fire and EMS mutual aid resources. Washington County Emergency Management assisted with coordination, resource management, and unified command operations.

Authorities identified that the fire involved an underground pipeline owned and operated by Enterprise Products Partners LP/Enterprise Products Operating LLC, and emergency response procedures for pipeline incidents were immediately put into action.

The affected area of the pipeline was secured, so that secondary fires, including those that spread across the Skunk River, were able to be contained, resulting in no injuries or damage to residential structures. This incident was declared to be under control by 12:57pm.

Officials say that there is no active threat to the public and that the cause of the incident remains under investigation.

This response was made possible through the coordinated efforts of local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical services, conservation and public works personnel, the Iowa State Patrol, and Washington County Emergency Management, including Washington, Brighton, Ainsworth, Crawfordsville, Wayland, and Richland Fire Departments; Washington and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Offices; Washington County Ambulance Service; Keokuk County Conservation; Washington County Engineer and Secondary Roads Department; and the Washington County Communications Center.