COMMISSION NEWS |
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ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION |
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TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS |
DATE: January 23, 1998 |
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FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Gary Smith (602) 542-3316 |
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ACC CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION |
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The Commission's Pipeline Safety Group has completed the first phase of its investigation of the January 15 natural gas explosion at 319 East Indian School Road in Phoenix and has found that Southwest Gas violated the underground facilities law. |
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"We have determined that the excavator, Triangle Communications, did not violate the intent of the underground facilities law," said Gary A. Smith, Chief of Safety. "The primary cause of this incident was Southwest Gas' failure to properly identify and mark their facilities." |
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Pipeline Safety has determined that Triangle Communications contacted the One Call Center, waited the proper length of time before commencing excavation, and manually determined the exact location of the marked facilities, as required by the underground facilities law. |
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At approximately 2:30 a.m. on January 15, 1998, Triangle hit the unmarked natural gas line during its excavation, causing the release of natural gas. This natural gas leak caused the explosion at approximately 5:00 a.m. that resulted in four injuries and the destruction of the building at this address. |
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"We are continuing to investigate this incident to ascertain why it took Southwest Gas more than five hours to control the escape of natural gas," Smith said. |
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