PUBLIC SERVICE CO OF NORTH CAROLINA

gas_distribution Incident — CONCORD, NC

Incident Information

Report Date
OperatorPUBLIC SERVICE CO OF NORTH CAROLINA
Commodity—
Pipeline Typegas_distribution

Location

CityCONCORD
StateNC
CountyCABARRUS
Coordinates35.43325, -80.60115

Cause

CauseOTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE
Subcause—

Casualties

Fatalities0
Injuries0

Costs

Property Damage
Lost Commodity
Public/Private Damage
Emergency Response
Environmental Remediation
Other Costs

Location Map

Incident Narrative

UPON ARRIVAL A NATURAL GAS FIRE WAS FOUND BURNING AT THE BASE OF A MUNICIPAL OWNED POWER POLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER OF 831 ARBOR ST NE AND A NATURAL GAS FIRE APPROX. 2 BLOCKS AWAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HOME AT 776 ARBOR ST NE. AT THE HOUSE, GAS HAD IGNITED ON THE UNION FOR THE FILTER RIGHT ABOVE THE LOCK-WING SERVICE VALVE AND SET THE HOME ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE GAS OFF AT THE LOCK-WING SERVICE VALVE, ON THE METER SET, AND EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. AT THE POWER POLE, AFTER DETERMINING THAT THERE WAS NO GAS MIGRATING UNDERGROUND, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO DIG UP THE 2"" STEEL MAIN IN REMOTE HOLES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FIRE AND SQUEEZE THE LINE OFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A SQUIRREL SHORTED THE OVERHEAD POWER FACILITY TO THE GROUND ON THE POWER POLE. THE GROUND ROD FOR THE POLE WAS WITHIN 6"" OF THE 2"" COATED AND WRAPPED STEEL GAS MAIN. THE GROUNDED CURRENT CAUSED AN ARC BURN HOLE IN THE PIPE AT THE GROUND ROD AND AT THE HOUSE RISER CAUSING FIRES AT BOTH LOCATIONS. REPAIRS TO THE MAIN WERE MADE AND SERVICE WAS RESTORED TO THE CUSTOMERS IMPACTED.

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.

Back to All Incidents More Incidents in NC