VIRGINIA NATURAL GAS

gas_distribution Incident — VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorVIRGINIA NATURAL GAS
Commodity—
Pipeline Typegas_distribution

Location

CityVIRGINIA BEACH
StateVA
Coordinates36.79412, -75.99687

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

TIDEWATER UTILITIES CONSTRUCTION, INC. WAS INSTALLING NEW WATER MAIN FOR THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH AND HIT A 4 INCH PLASTIC NATURAL GAS MAIN ON OCEANA BOULEVARD IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA WITH MECHANIZED EQUIPMENT. THE RELEASED GAS WAS APPARENTLY IGNITED BY A NEARBY GASOLINE-FIRED SUMP-PUMP AND CAUSED A NATURAL GAS FIRE AT THE DAMAGE LOCATION. THE EXCAVATION DAMAGE OCCURRED IN THE ROAD MEDIAN AND WAS AWAY FROM ANY BUILDING STRUCTURES. THE FIRE DAMAGED SOME OF THE EXCAVATORS EQUIPMENT AND CAUSED A GAS OUTAGE DOWNSTREAM (THE SYSTEM WAS NOT BACK FED).

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.

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