Peoples Natural Gas may have to pay up on some hefty fines surrounding the Tyrone house explosion from 3 years ago. The Public Utility Commission finding the gas company made almost two dozen mistakes that lead up to the blast. 83-year-old Anna Hunsicker was killed and four others were injured.
In 2021, a gas leak caused a home to explode on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Borough. A 62-page complaint alleges 22 violations in total – were made by Peoples Natural Gas(PNG). According to the complaint, on the day of the explosion, a Contractor was working to upgrade water lines on Pennsylvania Avenue when the worker struck a PNG gas line by accident. At 11:50 am, the contractor reportedly began smelling the odor of gas and contacted PNG.
The Public Utility Commission’S(PUC) Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement says PNG staff did not ask the Contractor, nor was required to ask, if the Contractor damaged or struck a pipeline. The complaint states an Emergency Service Order was issued by PNG later around 12:04pm, followed by Service Members entering the home roughly 45 minutes later – reporting a quote “Serious Incident” with damage to the gas pipeline.
The complaint lists the natural gas explosion then happened around 1:08 in the afternoon, with multiple service members inside – one of them in the basement. Investigators say PNG did not contact 911 services to report a gas leak – prior to the explosion, nor did they attempt to evacuate nearby residences, or try shutting off gas service to the area.
Following the explosion, pipeline safety investigators say they discovered PNG had multiple portable fire extinguishers that were not up to code or properly inspected, despite prior warnings. Investigators say PNG did not conduct a post-accident drug and alcohol screening of its employees at the scene, including the serviceman who was injured, which violates federal regulations. They also say PNG did not submit necessary reports on the incident and are proposing that PNG pays a penalty of $800,000, plus takes a list of corrective actions.
Peoples Natural Gas releasing a statement, saying quote: “Safety is our top priority, and we are committed to working with the Commission toward our shared goal of enhancing the safety of our communities and the distribution systems that serve them. This tragic event shows the importance of taking great care on all projects involving excavation.”
PNG Officials say independent contractors should “Call 811 at least three business days before excavating; Use prudent digging techniques when digging around marked gas lines; and Immediately contact 911 and the utility if there is an odor of gas, or when a line is believed to be damaged.”
Now a PUC Representative tells us that Peoples Natural Gas has 20 days from last Friday to formally respond to the complaint before they can order them to pay the proposed fine.