Explosion Report Blames Developers, Cities, and the Gas Company

[Terrel L. Shields]

When a house exploded in Firestone, it was clear the builder simply sawed the pipe they encountered in two, and did so on both sides of the foundation. They were supposed to identify the line and who/where it went. The well was shut in at the time, but turned back on filling the house with gas. The report blamed the city and developers for building near an existing gas field (it was bare ground only a few years earlier for miles around save the few rural residences) and some blame went to the gas company who had failed additionally to provide some paperwork back in 1999. Clearly the new laws are requiring a well to not be built within a 1000' or so of a house, but no law is preventing a house to be built literally adjacent to an existing well.

NTSB Firestone Home Explosion Report Criticizes Decision To Build Near Gas Pipelines

The National Transportation Safety Board's final report on the home explosion in Firestone that killed two men includes criticism for local entities that allowed homes to be built close to oil and gas pipelines.

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