Ohio Gas Company Fined $400K for Gas Line Rupture That Caused Home Fire

An Ohio gas company has been fined $400,000 by the state’s public utility commission after a contractor struck one of the company’s gas pipeline, an action that led to a fire that destroyed a home in Avon, Ohio.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) said Columbia Gas of Ohio did not follow proper operating procedures in relation to the gas service line. The company was ordered to pay a $400,000 penalty based upon the PUCO’s investigation of the August 2017 home fire that caused an estimated $83,000 property damage.

A PUCO staff investigation determined that an excavator struck an unidentified 2-inch natural gas service line while installing a new water service line to the home. Columbia records failed to identify the presence of one of two natural gas service lines supplying the property. When Columbia responded to the scene, they were unable to identify the natural gas service line that was feeding the fire.

PUCO staff concluded that Columbia Gas did not follow its operating procedures when abandoning the service line in 2012 and failed to disconnect it properly from the main line. On multiple occasions, Columbia did not investigate contradicting records regarding the existence of two service lines at the property. Columbia also failed to respond and shut off the flow of natural gas in a timely manner.

In its order, the commission noted that Columbia has complied with PUCO staff’s directives to update company procedures regarding underground locating, service disconnections and emergency response.

The order, the agreement filed by Columbia and PUCO staff, and a copy of the PUCO investigation is available in the case docket for case 19-452-GA-GPS.

Source: PUCO

Topics Ohio