BELLINGHAM, Wash. – On June 10th, 1999 a pipeline carrying gasoline ruptured in Whatcom Falls Park, sending thousands of gallons into Whatcom Creek.
The spill at about 3:30 p.m. brought numerous 911 calls and emergency responders, then came the explosion at 5:02.
Three people died: 18-year-old Liam Wood, who was fly fishing in the park, and two ten year old boys who were playing near the creek, Wade King and Stephen Tsiorvas.
The spill, explosion and fire caused more than $58 million in damage.
The incident prompted the creation of the Pipeline Safety Trust in Bellingham, which continues to work to improve the safety of pipelines running throughout the nation.