Mexico: methane gas build-up, spark caused blast

MEXICO CITY (AP) ? Mexican authorities say gas could have built up for decades before an explosion caused three floors of the headquarters of the national oil company to collapse, killing 37 people.

The country's attorney general says methane gas accumulated either from the fuel warehouse of a gas company that in the 1930s used to be where Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, now is or from another public utilities company at the location. Methane is the main component of most natural gas used for cooking and heating.

The Friday statement said the Jan. 31 explosion was ignited by either a mechanical or electrical spark. Investigators found an extension cord, a lamp and a plug that could have ignited the blast, it said.

The explosion earlier this year was the petroleum giant's worst disaster in a decade.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-methane-gas-build-spark-caused-blast-011442253.html

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