ELIZABETHTOWN GAS CO
gas_distribution Incident — CARTERET, NJ
Incident Information
| Report Date | — |
| Operator | ELIZABETHTOWN GAS CO |
| Commodity | — |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | CARTERET |
| State | NJ |
| County | MIDDLESEX |
| Coordinates | 40.58025, -74.21993 |
Cause
| Cause | NATURAL FORCE DAMAGE |
| Subcause | — |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | — |
| Lost Commodity | — |
| Public/Private Damage | — |
| Emergency Response | — |
| Environmental Remediation | — |
| Other Costs | — |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
HURRICANE SANDY COASTAL STORM SURGE PUSHED A 3 FOOT HIGH FLOOD THRUST AGAINST THE HOUSE UPPER FOUNDATION WALL FACING THE BAY. THIS ACTION BROKE APART THE EXPOSED PORTION OF THE WALL AND DROVE THE SHATTERED CINDER BLOCKS, ALONG WITH THE ATTACHED OUTSIDE METER SET, DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT. THE PULLED AND TWISTED SERVICE PIPE SEPARATED LEAVING AN OPEN END BLOWING INTO THE BASEMENT. THE GAS THEN IGNITED RESULTING IN THE GAS EXPLOSION AND FIRE. THE SOURCE OF THE IGNITION COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. THE HIGH HURRICANE WINDS AND FLOODS IN PLACE AT THAT TIME ACCELERATED THE BLAZE AND HAMPERED EMERGENCY RESPONSE. THUS, THE FIRE SPREAD AND DESTROYED TWO ADDITIONAL HOUSES AND CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO A FOURTH HOUSE (13, 15 AND 17 NOE STREET). THESE HOMES WERE NOT OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE OCCUPANTS HAD BEEN ORDERED TO EVACUATE IN ANTICIPATION OF COASTAL STORM FLOODING.
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.