COLUMBIA GAS OF MASSACHUSETTS
gas_distribution Incident — SPRINGFIELD, MA — November 23, 2012
Incident Information
| Incident Date | November 23, 2012 |
| Operator | COLUMBIA GAS OF MASSACHUSETTS |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | SPRINGFIELD |
| State | MA |
| County | HAMPDEN |
| Coordinates | 42.10668, -72.58939 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | DAMAGE BY OPERATOR OR OPERATOR'S CONTRACTOR NOT RELATED TO EXCAVATION AND NOT DUE TO MOTORIZED VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT DAMAGE |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 17 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $100,000 |
| Emergency Response | $10,000 |
| Other Costs | $200,000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"OPERATOR EMPLOYEE RESPONDED TO ODOR CALL IN BASEMENT OF 453 WORTHINGTON ST. AFTER OBTAINING ZERO LEVELS INSIDE OF BUILDING, EMPLOYEE BEGAN INVESTIGATION OUTSIDE. USING PROBE BAR EMPLOYEE STRUCK AND PUNCTURED SERVICE LINE CAUSING GAS TO ENTER BUILDING. RELEASED GAS ULTIMATELY IGNITED, CAUSING EXPLOSION."
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.