1 Dead In Smith County Pipeline Explosion

The coroner used tattoos to help identify James Candler, 40, who died in a Smith County pipeline explosion. Three others were airlifted to University Medical Center in Jackson. The sheriff’s department tells News Channel 12 that the 3-inch natural pipeline exploded around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon on County Road 99 off of Highway 18. This is just south of the town of Sylvarena. There was a fire after the explosion but crews put it out quickly. They shut off the gas and didn’t have to evacuate anyone. Investigators say the explosion happened as crews were laying pipeline and a conductor tried to check pressure in the line.  MEMA and the Smith County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the explosion.