Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2018-07-10 — WI
Operator
Wisconsin Gas Llc Dba We Energies
Cause
Notification Issue
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
1 fatality
1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$200,000
Incident datetime
2018-07-10 18:25
Report number
Location
WI, DANE
Narrative
On tuesday july 10, 2018 at 6:25pm, we energies was notified by the sun prairie fire department that natural gas facilities had been struck near the intersection of bristol and main street in sun prairie, wisconsin. At 6:38pm, we energies dispatched a first responder who arrived on site at 7:02 pm. Upon arrival, the we energies responder recognized the significance of the situation by the local first responder evacuations underway. The we energies responder immediately contacted gas dispatch and asked for assistance. At 7:04 pm, the building at 100 w. Main street exploded, which caused multiple buildings in the vicinity to catch fire and sustain significant damage. At 7:06pm, the we energies employee on site notified gas dispatch of the explosion and requested additional assistance. As a result of the explosion, seven local emergency responders and one we energies employee were injured. Two fire fighters and a we energies employee were transported to a nearby hospital. We energies was later informed that one of the firefighters who was transported to the hospital had passed away. The other firefighter transported to the hospital required inpatient, overnight hospitalization and the we energies employee transported to the hospital did not require inpatient, overnight hospitalization (updated 1/2/19). Due to the extent of the damage, twelve valves in the incident area needed to be closed to stop the flow of gas. At 8:06pm, we energies personal began closing the emergency valves to stop the flow of gas. At 1:12 am july 11, 2018 it was reported that the all valves had been shut, gas stopped blowing, and the fire was out, resulting in approximately 600 customers out of service. On july 10, at 9:44pm, we energies made a telephonic notification to the national response center to report a natural gas incident per 49 cfr part 191.3 due to estimated property damage of more than $50,000 and personal injury necessitating in-patient hospitalization. We energies also informed wisconsin public service commission pipeline safety manager of the incident. Restoration of gas services began the morning of july 11, 2018 and the majority of customers were restored within 24 hours. Further restoration continued for several days as premises were made safe and accessible. Upon investigation, it was determined that a third party excavator installing telecommunications facilities with horizontal directional drilling equipment had damaged a 2" pe gas main. The damaged main released gas which migrated below grade, into nearby buildings, and was ignited by an unknown source. One-call center records do not indicate that the third party excavator had made a request to locate buried facilities in the boring path prior to construction activities. Additionally, at the damaged gas line location, facilities had not been exposed by the excavator to ensure that proper clearances were maintained between the boring equipment and we energies facilities.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2018-07-10 18:25:00
Year
2018
Report Received Date
2018-08-09 00:00:00
Iyear
2018.0
Report Number
20180073.0
Supplemental Number
31423.0
Report Type
Supplemental
Operator Id
22763
Name
Wisconsin Gas Llc Dba We Energies
Operator Street Address
231 W. Michigan Street
Operator City Name
Milwaukee
Operator State Abbreviation
WI
Operator Postal Code
53203
Local Datetime
2018-07-10 19:04:00
Location Street Address
Intersection Of Main And Bristol
Location City Name
Sun Prairie
Location County Name
Dane
Location State Abbreviation
WI
Location Postal Code
53590-2223
Location Latitude
43.18331
Location Longitude
-89.21366
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2018-07-10 21:44:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1217955
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
600.0
Fatality Ind
Yes
Num Emp Fatalities
0
Num Contr Fatalities
0
Num Er Fatalities
1
Num Worker Fatalities
0
Num Gp Fatalities
0
Fatal
1
Injury Ind
Yes
Num Emp Injuries
0
Num Contr Injuries
0
Num Er Injuries
1
Num Worker Injuries
0
Num Gp Injuries
0
Injure
1
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
650.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2018-07-10 18:25:00
On Site Datetime
2018-07-10 19:02:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Pavement
Depth Of Cover
31.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1991.0
Pipe Diameter
2.0
Pipe Specification
Unknown
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Plastic Sdr
11
Material Pe Pipe Code
2406
Release Type
Mechanical Puncture
Puncture Axial
2.3
Puncture Circum
0.8
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
20000000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
200000.0
Est Cost Emergency
300000.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
3500.0
Prpty
20503500.0
Commercial Affected
100.0
Industrial Affected
5.0
Residences Affected
500.0
Accident Psig
54.0
Normal Psig
55.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
No
Scada Conf Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
Incident caused by third party excavation damage. Scada point did not go into alarm as a result of the damage.
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
3
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Contractors Tested
2
Num Contractors Failed
0
Cause
Excavation Damage
Cause Details
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Ex Party Type
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Prior Notification Ind
No
Notify Cga Dirt
No
Public Row Ind
Yes
Public Subtype
State Highway
Excavator Type
Contractor
Excavator Equipment
Directional Drilling
Work Performed
Telecommunications
One Call Notified Ind
No
Service Interruption
Yes
Service Interruption Hours
398.0
Root Cause Category
Notification Issue
Root Cause Type
No Notification Made To The One-Call Center/811
Preparer Name
C********** G****
Preparer Title
Sr. Engineer
Preparer Email
C****************@w**********.com
Preparer Telephone
(414) 221-5347
Authorizer Name
T** S*******
Authorizer Title
Manager Gas Code Compliance
Authorizer Telephone
(414) 221-5173
Authorizer Email
T***********@w**********.com
Narrative
On tuesday july 10, 2018 at 6:25pm, we energies was notified by the sun prairie fire department that natural gas facilities had been struck near the intersection of bristol and main street in sun prairie, wisconsin. At 6:38pm, we energies dispatched a first responder who arrived on site at 7:02 pm. Upon arrival, the we energies responder recognized the significance of the situation by the local first responder evacuations underway. The we energies responder immediately contacted gas dispatch and asked for assistance. At 7:04 pm, the building at 100 w. Main street exploded, which caused multiple buildings in the vicinity to catch fire and sustain significant damage. At 7:06pm, the we energies employee on site notified gas dispatch of the explosion and requested additional assistance. As a result of the explosion, seven local emergency responders and one we energies employee were injured. Two fire fighters and a we energies employee were transported to a nearby hospital. We energies was later informed that one of the firefighters who was transported to the hospital had passed away. The other firefighter transported to the hospital required inpatient, overnight hospitalization and the we energies employee transported to the hospital did not require inpatient, overnight hospitalization (updated 1/2/19). Due to the extent of the damage, twelve valves in the incident area needed to be closed to stop the flow of gas. At 8:06pm, we energies personal began closing the emergency valves to stop the flow of gas. At 1:12 am july 11, 2018 it was reported that the all valves had been shut, gas stopped blowing, and the fire was out, resulting in approximately 600 customers out of service. On july 10, at 9:44pm, we energies made a telephonic notification to the national response center to report a natural gas incident per 49 cfr part 191.3 due to estimated property damage of more than $50,000 and personal injury necessitating in-patient hospitalization. We energies also informed wisconsin public service commission pipeline safety manager of the incident. Restoration of gas services began the morning of july 11, 2018 and the majority of customers were restored within 24 hours. Further restoration continued for several days as premises were made safe and accessible. Upon investigation, it was determined that a third party excavator installing telecommunications facilities with horizontal directional drilling equipment had damaged a 2" pe gas main. The damaged main released gas which migrated below grade, into nearby buildings, and was ignited by an unknown source. One-call center records do not indicate that the third party excavator had made a request to locate buried facilities in the boring path prior to construction activities. Additionally, at the damaged gas line location, facilities had not been exposed by the excavator to ensure that proper clearances were maintained between the boring equipment and we energies facilities.
| Occurred At | 2018-07-10 18:25:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018 |
| Report Received Date | 2018-08-09 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2018.0 |
| Report Number | 20180073.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 31423.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental |
| Operator Id | 22763 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Wisconsin Gas Llc Dba We Energies |
| Operator Street Address | 231 W. Michigan Street |
| Operator City Name | Milwaukee |
| Operator State Abbreviation | WI |
| Operator Postal Code | 53203 |
| Local Datetime | 2018-07-10 19:04:00 |
| Location Street Address | Intersection Of Main And Bristol |
| Location City Name | Sun Prairie |
| Location County Name | Dane |
| Location State Abbreviation | WI |
| Location Postal Code | 53590-2223 |
| Location Latitude | 43.18331 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -89.21366 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2018-07-10 21:44:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1217955 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 600.0 |
| Fatality Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Contr Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Er Fatalities | 1 |
| Num Worker Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Gp Fatalities | 0 |
| Fatal | 1 |
| Injury Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Injuries | 0 |
| Num Contr Injuries | 0 |
| Num Er Injuries | 1 |
| Num Worker Injuries | 0 |
| Num Gp Injuries | 0 |
| Injure | 1 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 650.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2018-07-10 18:25:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2018-07-10 19:02:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Pavement |
| Depth Of Cover | 31.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1991.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 2.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Unknown |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Unknown |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Plastic Sdr | 11 |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | 2406 |
| Release Type | Mechanical Puncture |
| Puncture Axial | 2.3 |
| Puncture Circum | 0.8 |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 20000000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 200000.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 300000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 3500.0 |
| Prpty | 20503500.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 100.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 5.0 |
| Residences Affected | 500.0 |
| Accident Psig | 54.0 |
| Normal Psig | 55.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | No |
| Scada Conf Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | Incident caused by third party excavation damage. Scada point did not go into alarm as a result of the damage. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Employees Tested | 3 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Contractors Tested | 2 |
| Num Contractors Failed | 0 |
| Cause | Excavation Damage |
| Cause Details | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Ex Party Type | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Prior Notification Ind | No |
| Notify Cga Dirt | No |
| Public Row Ind | Yes |
| Public Subtype | State Highway |
| Excavator Type | Contractor |
| Excavator Equipment | Directional Drilling |
| Work Performed | Telecommunications |
| One Call Notified Ind | No |
| Service Interruption | Yes |
| Service Interruption Hours | 398.0 |
| Root Cause Category | Notification Issue |
| Root Cause Type | No Notification Made To The One-Call Center/811 |
| Preparer Name | C********** G**** |
| Preparer Title | Sr. Engineer |
| Preparer Email | C****************@w**********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | (414) 221-5347 |
| Authorizer Name | T** S******* |
| Authorizer Title | Manager Gas Code Compliance |
| Authorizer Telephone | (414) 221-5173 |
| Authorizer Email | T***********@w**********.com |
| Narrative | On tuesday july 10, 2018 at 6:25pm, we energies was notified by the sun prairie fire department that natural gas facilities had been struck near the intersection of bristol and main street in sun prairie, wisconsin. At 6:38pm, we energies dispatched a first responder who arrived on site at 7:02 pm. Upon arrival, the we energies responder recognized the significance of the situation by the local first responder evacuations underway. The we energies responder immediately contacted gas dispatch and asked for assistance. At 7:04 pm, the building at 100 w. Main street exploded, which caused multiple buildings in the vicinity to catch fire and sustain significant damage. At 7:06pm, the we energies employee on site notified gas dispatch of the explosion and requested additional assistance. As a result of the explosion, seven local emergency responders and one we energies employee were injured. Two fire fighters and a we energies employee were transported to a nearby hospital. We energies was later informed that one of the firefighters who was transported to the hospital had passed away. The other firefighter transported to the hospital required inpatient, overnight hospitalization and the we energies employee transported to the hospital did not require inpatient, overnight hospitalization (updated 1/2/19). Due to the extent of the damage, twelve valves in the incident area needed to be closed to stop the flow of gas. At 8:06pm, we energies personal began closing the emergency valves to stop the flow of gas. At 1:12 am july 11, 2018 it was reported that the all valves had been shut, gas stopped blowing, and the fire was out, resulting in approximately 600 customers out of service. On july 10, at 9:44pm, we energies made a telephonic notification to the national response center to report a natural gas incident per 49 cfr part 191.3 due to estimated property damage of more than $50,000 and personal injury necessitating in-patient hospitalization. We energies also informed wisconsin public service commission pipeline safety manager of the incident. Restoration of gas services began the morning of july 11, 2018 and the majority of customers were restored within 24 hours. Further restoration continued for several days as premises were made safe and accessible. Upon investigation, it was determined that a third party excavator installing telecommunications facilities with horizontal directional drilling equipment had damaged a 2" pe gas main. The damaged main released gas which migrated below grade, into nearby buildings, and was ignited by an unknown source. One-call center records do not indicate that the third party excavator had made a request to locate buried facilities in the boring path prior to construction activities. Additionally, at the damaged gas line location, facilities had not been exposed by the excavator to ensure that proper clearances were maintained between the boring equipment and we energies facilities. |
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