CHARTIERS TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A gas explosion injured a person in Washington County on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that firefighters responded to a call shortly before 1 p.m. for a gas pipeline explosion in the 800 block of Western Avenue in Chartiers Township.

"I just heard a big boom and I didn't know whether it was a wreck or a jet going over of what it was," said Lil Pilkington, a neighbor. "I was afraid because the pipeline runs right alongside of our house, and I was afraid that the fire would come down this way."

Officials from the company that owns the plant, Mark West Liberty Gas Gathering LLC told WTAE Channel 4's news-exchange partners at The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the company is sending officials to investigate a cause after some sort of valve malfunctioned.

The company said an employee, whose identity was not immediately released, was injured, but was not seriously hurt. The worker was taken to an area hospital with unknown injuries.

The plant will be shutdown until a cause is determined, company officials said.

A WTAE Channel 4 Action News crew at the scene reported flames were visible from a distance. A medical helicopter was called to the scene but could not fly because of weather conditions.

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