PUC: No Evidence Allegheny County Home Explosion Where 2 Died Related To Columbia Gas Facilities; Allegheny County, DEP Investigations Continue

On September 24, the Public Utility Commission Safety Division, part of the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), concluded its investigation into a March 2024 incident in Crescent Township, Allegheny County, which claimed the lives of two residents and destroyed a house on Riverview Road. 

Following a detailed investigation, the Safety Division found no evidence linking public utility jurisdictional natural gas service to the Crescent Township incident – noting that while Columbia Gas has natural gas mains in the general area, there were no utility gas mains in the immediate vicinity around the site; there was no public utility natural gas service connected to the home; and no utility gas leaks were found.  

As part of this investigation, the Safety Division monitored integrity and odor testing conducted by Columbia Gas and conducted on-site interviews with first responders, utility employees, and area residents.

Safety Division investigators noted that while there was no public utility natural gas service connected to the home, a private natural gas well and propane tank were located on the property – which are both outside the PUC’s jurisdiction. 

While the PUC’s portion of the investigation has concluded, the Commission recognizes and appreciates the high level of public concern generated by these types of sudden and tragic events. 

The Commission thanks residents and others impacted by this incident for their cooperation and patience during the investigation, as well as local fire and rescue personnel and other agencies who responded to this incident.

The focus of any further investigation of this incident is outside the scope of the PUC’s jurisdiction. 

The PUC remains committed to its public safety mission and Safety Division engineers and experts will continue to serve as a resource to the Allegheny County Fire Marshal, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and other local authorities as they continue their investigations.

NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Propane Involved In Crescent Twp. House Explosion, Investigation Shows 

-- TribLive: PUC: Natural Gas Service Not To Blame For Fatal Crescent Township House Explosion

Resource Links:

-- TribLive: ‘Complete Devastation:’ Crescent Fire Chief Confirms 2 Dead In Another Allegheny House Explosion; Gas Well, Propane On The Property 

-- TribLive: Crescent House Explosion Marks 3rd In Western PA Since Summer

-- WPXI: DEP Acknowledges Presence Of Unregistered Conventional Gas Wells Near Site Of Tuesday Explosion

[Posted: September 24, 2024]  PA Environment Digest