DTE GAS COMPANY
gas_distribution Incident — DETROIT, MI
Incident Information
| Report Date | — |
| Operator | DTE GAS COMPANY |
| Commodity | — |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | DETROIT |
| State | MI |
| County | WAYNE |
| Coordinates | 42.40794, -82.95701 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | — |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 1 |
Costs
| Property Damage | — |
| Lost Commodity | — |
| Public/Private Damage | — |
| Emergency Response | — |
| Environmental Remediation | — |
| Other Costs | — |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
DURING THE PROCESS OF ABANDONING THE SERVICE LINE FOR 15253 EVANSTON, A DTE GAS BACKHOE OPERATOR STRUCK THE 11/2-INCH STEEL SERVICE LINE WITH THE BACKHOE BUCKET AND CRACKED THE THREADS AT A COUPLING NEAR THE MAIN CAUSING A NATURAL GAS LEAK. A DTE GAS MAINTENANCE FITTER ENTERED THE EXCAVATION TO STOP THE LEAK. THE MAINTENANCE FITTER ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE 1-1/2 INCH PLUG FROM THE TOP OF THE STREET TEE AT THE MAIN IN ORDER TO INSERT AN EXPANDABLE STOPPER TO SHUT OFF THE GAS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE MAINTENANCE FITTER DECIDED TO CUT THE SERVICE LINE WITH A FOUR-WHEEL PIPE CUTTER IN ORDER TO STOP THE FLOW OF GAS BY INSERTING A PLUG INTO THE END OF THE PIPE. WHEN THE MAINTENANCE FITTER ATTEMPTED TO MOUNT THE CUTTER ON THE 1-1/2 INCH PIPE THE ESCAPING GAS IGNITED, BURNING THE MAINTENANCE FITTER WHO WAS STILL IN THE EXCAVATION. THE MAINTENANCE FITTER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND TREATED FOR FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO FACE AND ARMS. THE MAINTENANCE FITTER WAS HOSPITALIZED OVERNIGHT AND RELEASED THE NEXT DAY. A SECOND REPAIR CREW WAS SENT TO THE SITE AND COMPLETED THE REPAIR BY INSTALLING A SERVICE SADDLE REPAIR CLAMP.
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.