Warrior Met Believes Brookwood Gas Line Explosion Linked To Ongoing Strike

BROOKWOOD, AL - The Alabama Mining Association is offering a $25,000 reward for information after what it referred to as an "explosive device attack" on a methane gas line operated by a subsidiary of Warrior Met Coal in Brookwood late Wednesday night.

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“Warrior Met Coal and its subsidiaries have always focused on the safety of our employees and the communities in which we live and operate," said Warrior Met Coal spokesman D’Andre Wright. "We believe today’s attack on our pipeline facilities was related to the ongoing labor dispute."

The United Mine Workers of America labor union strike began nearly a year ago this April and has produced instances of violence at the picket line in the months since more than 1,000 union members walked off the job in Brookwood.

As Patch reported earlier on Thursday, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office said 911 dispatchers received the initial call of a gas line explosion from Black Warrior Methane around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday evening in the area of Hannah Creek Road and Sandlin Mountain Road.

In a statement to local media on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said investigators located a ruptured methane pipeline along with other debris, which points to the possibility of the explosion being the result of an intentional act.

"As a critical infrastructure industry, it is imperative we protect our assets from acts of violence and vandalism to ensure public safety," Wright said. "While no injuries are known to have occurred, the threat to lives and property posed by this irresponsible and illegal attack is tremendous. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and expect those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The mining association said federal authorities continue the investigation into the damage believed to be related to the use of an explosive device, which endangered the health and safety of members of the public, employees, and first responders.

"The incident forced authorities to close portions of Hannah Creek Road near Brookwood throughout the morning," Association President Patrick Cagle said. "No one who shares the values of Alabama’s 21st century mining community would participate in, stand by, or stay silent about this dangerous, inexcusable attack. Today’s events should be universally and categorically denounced. The mining industry prides itself on prioritizing safety above everything else, and this attack is ultimately an attack on what we stand for.”

Those with information regarding the explosion are asked to contact the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office (205) 326-6166 or the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) through its tip line at 1 (888) 283-8477.

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