Durham gas explosion cause still unknown

PSNC still doesn’t know cause of Durham gas explosion

From WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC: In a report submitted to a federal agency, officials for the Public Service Company of North Carolina (PSNC) said they still are trying to determine what caused the Durham gas explosion that killed two people on April 10.

The mandatory report, which was submitted May 10 to the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, also showed that PSNC investigators have not been able to determine the exact number of injured and the exact time the gas line was damaged.

WNCN obtained the report through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Durham gas explosion:
Report of gas smell

The investigation by PSNC shows the line was punctured during a directional drilling operation. The gas line was found by the contractor that morning, and the investigation hasn’t revealed whether the lines “were or were not marked accurately.”

At 9:11 a.m. the morning of April 10, someone called 911 to report a strong smell of gas as they were driving through the intersection of North Duke and Morgan streets.

The contractor, however, didn’t call in the puncture until 9:37 a.m., reporting that a gas main was struck at 115 N. Duke Street.

Durham gas explosion:
Series of events

The report breaks down what occurred immediately after the contractor called NC-811:

• NC-811 automatically generated a damage ticket that was delivered to PSNC at approximately 9:35 a.m.
• An order was then automatically dispatched to PSNC’s first-responder at approximately 9:36 a.m.
• The first-responder reviewed the ticket at approximately 9:43 a.m. and began heading to the site.
• PSNC received a call from 911 at approximately 9:48 a.m. noting that the fire department was on the scene.

Durham gas explosion:
Cost in millions

The explosion occurred at 10:07 a.m., killing two people and injuring more than a dozen more. The report says PSNC believes somewhere between 17 and 25 were injured.

Approximately 15 buildings in total were damaged by the explosion, PSNC’s report states.

Another unknown is the cost of property damage, both to public property and to the gas system, but the report says there was about $20 million in damages.

The cost of the gas released after the rupture was $196 with a volume of 46 thousand cubic feet.

Durham gas explosion:
No previous issues

The report also states that “PSNC has had no known issues with the distribution system in this area in the recent past.”

PSNC said its investigation of the Durham gas explosion is ongoing.

The Public Service Company of North Carolina said it still does not know what caused the Durham gas explosion April 10 that killed two people and injured about two dozen others.

One dead, 1 hurt, 1 missing in Pennsylvania home explosion

From Associated Press, Mountain Top, PA: Authorities said one person has been killed, one was injured, and another is missing after an explosion destroyed a home in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Officials say emergency responders found Nathan Hedgepeth, 20, injured but alive just before 2 a.m. Friday on the lawn outside the home in Dorrance, about 115 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Hedgepeth told them his parents and the family cat were still inside the home.

One body was found a short time later but was so badly burned that authorities say they don’t know if it was a man or a woman.

Hedgepeth was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Details on his injuries weren’t disclosed.

Pennsylvania home explosion:
Two explosions heard

Neighbors told WNEP-TV they heard two explosions.

Crews have brought in an excavator in to search for the second body.

The cause of the blast remains under investigation.