MILFORD, Texas (AP) - Most residents of a rural North Texas town evacuated after a nearby gas pipeline explosion can return home.
Chevron said in a statement Saturday that the evacuation zone has been reduced to half-a-mile radius from the previous 1.5 mile radius. Chevron spokesman Gareth Johnstone told The Associated Press that about three homes within the reduced area nearest to the pipeline will remain off-limits.
Ellis County sheriff's office was asked to provide security to that area for another night.
A drilling crew punctured the line Thursday near the town located about 40 miles south of Dallas with about 700 residents. The puncture triggered an explosion and a large fire. No injuries were reported.
A small fire remains at the site of explosion. Chevron said air quality is within normal ranges.