AVISTA CORP

gas_distribution Incident — SPOKANE, WA

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorAVISTA CORP
Commodity—
Pipeline Typegas_distribution

Location

CitySPOKANE
StateWA
CountySPOKANE
Coordinates47.68827, -117.39312

Cause

CauseEXCAVATION DAMAGE
Subcause—

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

Property Damage
Lost Commodity
Public/Private Damage
Emergency Response
Environmental Remediation
Other Costs

Location Map

Incident Narrative

A CONTRACTOR INSTALLING A SEWER LINE AT A RESIDENTIAL HOME STRUCK A 3/4"" PE NATURAL GAS SERVICE OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 PSIG. THE RELEASE OF NATURAL GAS CAUGHT THE MINI BACKHOE ON FIRE WHICH THEN CAUGHT THE HOUSE ON FIRE. THE CONTRACTOR HAD A VALID LOCATE TICKET. WHETHER OR NOT THE SERVICE WAS LOCATED PROPERLY IS UNDER DISPUTE. THE GAS METER WAS LESS THAN 10 FEET FROM THE POINT OF DAMAGE AND VISIBLE ABOVE GROUND FROM THE POINT OF DAMAGE. NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE FIRE. SERVICE WAS TEMPORARILY LOST TO ONE CUSTOMER.

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.

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