BOSTON GAS CO
gas_distribution Incident — BEDFORD, MA
Incident Information
| Report Date | — |
| Operator | BOSTON GAS CO |
| Commodity | — |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | BEDFORD |
| State | MA |
| County | MIDDLESEX |
| Coordinates | 42.51515, -71.24157 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | — |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | — |
| Lost Commodity | — |
| Public/Private Damage | — |
| Emergency Response | — |
| Environmental Remediation | — |
| Other Costs | — |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
THE EVENT OCCURRED DURING A REINFORCEMENT PROJECT REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF APPROX. 2800FT OF EXISTING 3'/4' COATED STEEL AND PLASTIC MAIN WITH AN 8'PLASTIC PIPE AT HIGH PRESSURE (60PSI) AND ASSOCIATED TIE-INS ALONG MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE, BEDFORD, MA. THE NEW 8' MAIN WAS INSTALLED BY NEW ENGLAND UTILITY CONSTRUCTORS INC. (NEUCO) WITH GASSING IN AND ASSOCIATED TIE-INS PERFORMED BY A NATIONAL GRID CREW. ON AUGUST 14, 2013, DURING THE OPERATION BY A NATIONAL GRID'S CREW TO TIE-IN THE EXISTING 8' MAIN ON PLANK STREET TO THE NEW 8' MAIN ON MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE, THE CREW LEADER RELEASED THE PRESSURE ON THE HYDRAULIC SQUEEZE OFF AT ONE END OF THE TIE-IN PRIOR MAKING THE CONNECTION AT THE OTHER END. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF GAS THROUGH THE OPEN ENDED PIPE WHICH IGNITED AND BURNED FOR APPROX. 70 MINUTES BEFORE BEING BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AND EXTINGUISHED THERE WAS NO LOSS OF LIFE OR SIGNIFICANT INJURY BUT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THIRD PARTY APPARATUS IN THE VICINITY INCLUDING OVERHEAD WIRES AND STREET LIGHTING AND COMPANY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING A BACK HOE. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT MEDIA ATTENTION
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.