AVISTA CORP
gas_distribution Incident — SPOKANE, WA — April 12, 2013
Incident Information
| Incident Date | April 12, 2013 |
| Operator | AVISTA CORP |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | SPOKANE |
| State | WA |
| County | SPOKANE |
| Coordinates | 47.68827, -117.39312 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $1,900 |
| Emergency Response | $350 |
| Other Costs | $40,000 |
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.