NSTAR GAS COMPANY

Incident Narrative

A SERVICE TECH WAS CALLED AT 1:15 AM SUNDAY MORNING TO RESPOND TO THE MARLBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT AT AN APPARENT EXPLOSION AND HOUSE FIRE. THE TECH ARRIVED AND CALLED FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. HE THEN BEGAN TO CHECK FOR MIGRATING GAS IN THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS, ALONG THE SERVICE TO THE HOUSE, AND IN THE STREET. NO GAS READINGS WERE DETECTED. THE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE ON CALL PERSONNEL ARRIVED AND BEGAN CALLING IN ADDITIONAL COMPANY RESOURCES TO ASSIST IN THE RESPONSE EFFORT AND CONTROLLING THE INCIDENT. A DISTRIBUTION CREW WAS CALLED IN TO SHUT OFF AND CUT THE SERVICE. ADDITIONAL SERVICE TECHS WERE CALLED IN TO ASSIST IN CHECKING THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS AND IN THE STREETS AT CATCH BASINS AND MANHOLES AROUND THE ENTIRE BLOCK. GAS SUPPLY PERSONNEL WERE CALLED IN AND DISPATCHED TO TAKE ODORANT SAMPLES IN THE HOUSES DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM 15 GRANT CT. THAT HAD ACTIVE GAS SERVICE. GAS SURVEY CREWS WERE CALLED IN TO SURVEY GRANT ST., AND THE TWO PARALLEL STREETS, MCENELLY ST. AND WASHINGTON CT. ALONG WITH THE PORTION OF WASHINGTON ST. IN BETWEEN THESE STREETS. THE METER AND METER BAR ASSEMBLY WERE TAKEN BY THE INVESTIGATORS AS EVIDENCE. THE SERVICE WAS PRESSURE TESTED TO THE RISER WHICH WAS WITNESSED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DPU. THE SERVICE WAS CUT OFF AT THE MAIN. AFTER THE INVESTIGATORS COMPLETED GATHERING EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE THEY GAVE PERMISSION TO BEGIN CLEANING UP THE SITE. THERE WAS A TENANT HOME AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION WHO WAS CONSCIOUS AND WALKING AROUND WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND REPORTS ARE THAT HE SUSTAINED 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON PORTIONS OF HIS BODY.