Gas Line Owner Reimburses Agencies for West Virginia Fire

A natural gas company has paid more than $231,000 to reimburse the costs of fighting a December pipeline fire and rebuilding a section of charred highway near Sissonville, W. Va.

Media outlets report more than $165,000 from NiSource Inc. will go to the state Division of Highways to pay for repairs to a section of Interstate 77.

Kanawha County Manager Jennifer Sayre says state and county agencies who responded to the fire also are being reimbursed.

On Dec. 11, a 20-inch line ruptured, triggering a massive fire about 15 miles from Charleston. The pipeline is owned by NiSource subsidiary Columbia Gas Transmission.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause.