PA Environment Digest Blog: PUC Updates Investigation Into Dec. 2022 Natural Gas House Explosion In Dauphin County

On October 18, the Safety Division of the Public Utility Commission announced it is continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding a December 2022 house explosion and fire in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.

Crest Road Incident Overview

On December 13, 2022, Safety Division investigators responded to reports of a house explosion and fire at 3204 Crest Road, which destroyed one residence, damaged several adjacent homes, and sent two people to the hospital for treatment of injuries.

Both of those individuals, a UGI Utilities first responder and the occupant of a neighboring home, were released the same day.

While initial emergency response efforts were underway, investigators from the Safety Division began gathering preliminary information.

After the initial fire and rescue activities concluded, safety engineers began a more detailed investigation at the site – including detailed interviews with UGI employees, first responders and residents; examination of physical jurisdictional evidence after the incident; a study of the scene and surrounding structures; the detailed review of utility operational records; monitoring of service restorations and repairs around the incident site; and other on-site observations by expert pipeline safety engineers.

Based on information gathered to-date, the Safety Division has determined the following:

-- On Dec. 12, 2022, Pronto Plumbing placed an emergency locate ticket with the Pennsylvania One Call system to alert utilities to locate and mark underground lines around 3204 Crest Road.

-- UGI Utilities did not locate and mark their line on December 12.

-- On December 13, excavation work began and a natural gas service line to 3204 Crest Road was damaged by a backhoe operated by Pronto Plumbing employees.

-- A 9-1-1 call was placed after the gas line was damaged.

-- Approximately 30 minutes later the home exploded.

-- Later that day, utility service was restored to undamaged homes in the area.

The Safety Division investigation continues to explore the circumstances surrounding this incident, compliance with state and federal pipeline safety regulations, as well as compliance with Pennsylvania’s “One Call Law,” which is intended to help prevent damage to underground utility lines.

Investigators continue to coordinate with the Lower Paxton Township Fire Marshal in this ongoing investigation.

The Safety Division appreciates the cooperation and assistance from local officials and emergency responders – and thanks the residents and others impacted by this incident for their cooperation and patience during the investigation.

About The Safety Division

During all investigations by the Safety Division, data is gathered and analyzed – exploring the cause and circumstances surrounding an incident, along with whether there are any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations.

Any determinations and/or actions are based on that information, within the scope of the PUC’s jurisdiction, and any safety concerns identified by investigators are addressed promptly with regulated pipeline operators and/or utilities.

It is important to note that I&E investigations are limited – by regulation – to the involvement of, or impact from, utilities and utility systems under the jurisdiction of the PUC, along with natural gas transported by those assets.

I&E does not have jurisdiction to investigate items, events, or piping beyond the outlet of a service meter within a structure.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

NewsClips:

-- Beaver County Times: PUC Investigating Ongoing Columbia Gas Service Outage In Beaver County

-- WPXI: Mayor Of Economy Boro, Beaver County, Expresses Frustration At Ongoing Natural Gas Outage

-- WTAE: Columbia Gas Starts To Restore Service For Thousands Of Beaver County Customers

-- KDKA: Columbia Gas Service Restoration For 4,000 Beaver County Residents Expected To Take Days

-- TribLive: Columbia Gas Shuts Off Service To 4,000 Beaver County Residents Because Of Natural Gas Introduced Into Its System By A Third-Party Gas Supplier, No Service For Several Days

-- KDKA: Columbia Gas Halts Service For Nearly 4,000 Residents After It Identified An ‘Issue With Natural Gas Introduced Into Its System By A Third Party

-- WTAE: Thousands Of Beaver County Columbia Gas Customers To Be Without Service For Several Days

-- Post-Gazette: Columbia Gas Begins Service Restoration For 4,000 Customers In Beaver County Over Next Several Days After ‘Issue’ With Natural Gas

-- WPXI: Columbia Gas Explains Plan To Restore Service To More Than 4,000 Beaver County Customers To Ensure Safety Of Customers