PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS CO

gas_distribution Incident — PRINCETON TOWNSHIP, NJ

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorPUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS CO
Commodity—
Pipeline Typegas_distribution

Location

CityPRINCETON TOWNSHIP
StateNJ
CountyMERCER
Coordinates40.36753, -74.65671

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

ON MARCH 20, 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:45 A.M., TOP LINE CONSTRUCTION CORP. WORKFORCES WERE EXCAVATING THE EXISTING ROAD SURFACE ON EWING STREET, PRINCETON TOWNSHIP WITH A MILLING MACHINE, AS PART OF AN ONGOING ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR PRINCETON TOWNSHIP. DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS WORK STRUCK AN UNMARKED GAS MAIN 3/4 INCH DRIP RISER THAT WAS BURIED AND PAVED OVER WITH THE MILLING MACHINE'S DRUM. THE MILLING MACHINE IGNITED AS A RESULT OF THE CONTACT AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL HOURS, UNTIL PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC AND GAS COMPANY (""PSE&G"") ISOLATED THE MAIN AND SHUT-OFF THE GAS. AS A RESULT, FIVE RESIDENCES WERE WITHOUT SERVICE UNTIL THE MILLING MACHINE COULD BE REMOVED AND GAS FACILITIES REPAIRED. GAS SERVICE WAS RESTORED AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 P.M. AT NIGHT.

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.

Back to All Incidents More Incidents in NJ