FARMINGTON (KFSM)--Farmington Police confirmed Saturday morning (Dec. 17), the driver who hit the gas line, causing an explosion on main street (Hwy. 62) died at the scene.
The person's identity is not being released at this time.
The crash happened just after 4 p.m. Friday (Dec. 16) near Casey's General Store at the intersection of Main Street and N. Double Springs Road. A portion of the road was closed in both directions while crews battled a massive fire. It took almost nine hours to put out.
Black Hills Energy said the crew had to lower the pressure of the gas valves, so they could turn off the gas.
"We [needed] to lower it enough that we [could] get to the closest isolation valve to turn off that setting, if not our biggest concern would be that we would lose all of our customers in Farmington," said Rich Davis with Black Hills Energy.
The residence behind the gas line caught fire, but the firefighters were able to put those flames out.
Emergency management also said wind was a factor in putting out the flames.
Many people lost power in the immediate area of the fire.