Columbia Gas official issues statement on blast - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Jimmy D. Staton, the executive vice president and group CEO of Columbia Gas Transmission, issued this statement Tuesday evening regarding the gas line explosion near Sissonville:

"Columbia Gas Transmission's priority is the safety of our communities and our employees. It is who we are and defines how we have operated in West Virginia for the last 100-plus years.

Just before 1:00 p.m. EST today there was an incident near Sissonville, West Virginia. Thanks to the work of local first responders and our employees, the site where the incident occurred has been secured. We have a team of employees working with first responders and investigators to assess damages and determine the cause.

We are thankful that there are no reports of injuries.

We continue to work with our affected neighbors to accommodate their needs and provide them with any assistance that they may need. A community shelter is open and staffed at Aldersgate United Methodist Church for any residents needing assistance. We have teams of employees on the ground around Sissonville assisting residents for as long as needed.

I want to personally acknowledge the first responders, Columbia employees and other local officials who worked together safely, seamlessly and swiftly to evacuate residents and secure the site. Our Columbia employees are still hard at work and will be for days to come to continue to ensure the integrity and normal operation of our system. "