Officials say PSE should have detected leak that caused North Seattle home explosion
Dec 26, 2012, 2:39 PM | Updated: 3:05 pm
State investigators say Puget Sound Energy should be fined for failing to detect gas leaks that led to a huge explosion that leveled a North Seattle home in September 2011. (AP image)
(AP image)
A new report from state investigators says Puget Sound Energy should have detected a gas leak that led to a home explosion in North Seattle’s Pinehurst neighborhood in September 2011.
Investigators with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission determined an electrical current surging from a severed Seattle City Light power line punched a hole in a natural gas line, causing the link that led to the explosion.
“Pipeline engineers and safety experts with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) found the most likely cause of the explosion was natural gas leaking from Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) service pipe located outside the Pinehurst home,” the UTC said in a statement.
The experts are recommending the UTC levy financial penalties against PSE for violating gas-safety rules and failing to fully test for leaks after learning of the problem with the City Light power line.
“While the company promptly responded to odor reports and conducted a leak survey in the area, it failed to leak survey all the gas lines located in the area, including the service line to the home that exploded and the gas main located in and under the adjoining cul-de-sac,” said the statement.
The Sept. 26 explosion leveled the home and injured two people, sending both to the hospital with burns.
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