COLUMBIA GAS OF MASSACHUSETTS
gas_distribution Incident — DUXBURY, MA — February 19, 2015
Incident Information
| Incident Date | February 19, 2015 |
| Operator | COLUMBIA GAS OF MASSACHUSETTS |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | DUXBURY |
| State | MA |
| County | PLYMOUTH |
| Coordinates | 42.03074, -70.73895 |
Cause
| Cause | OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE |
| Subcause | OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $1,000 |
| Emergency Response | $4,381 |
| Other Costs | $100,000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"3/4"" CLOSE STEEL NIPPLE BROKE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE SHUT OFF DUE TO A BUILD UP OF SNOW ON THE FITTING. PART C SUBPART 2A & 4 ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERVICE LINE. THE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW THE SNOW LOAD OCCURRED ON THE FITTING (I.E. WHETHER IT WAS DUE TO NATURAL FORCES OR A 3RD PARTY). GAS WAS RELEASED AND RESULTED IN AN IGNITION. THE SERVICE WAS CUT OFF AT THE CURB AS THE FINAL REMEDIATION. THE NON-OPERATOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND OTHER COSTS WERE OBTAINED FROM THE NATIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATION REPORTING SYSTEM (NFIRS) REPORT. THERE WAS A BREAKDOWN IN THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS WHICH RESULTED IN A DELAYED NRC CALL BEING MADE. THE COMPANY HAS SINCE IMPLEMENTED ANNUAL TRAINING TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS EDUCATION ON THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AT BOTH A STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL."
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.