Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2018-11-24 — CA
Operator
Southern California Gas Co
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
3 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$38,963
Incident datetime
2018-11-24 17:41
Report number
Location
CA, VENTURA
Narrative
On saturday, november 24, 2018, socalgas was notified by ventura county fire department (ventura county fire) of a structure fire and explosion at 493 lemar ave, oxnard. The cause of the incident is unknown; initial information provided by ventura county fire suggested possible propane involvement. There were three injuries that were transported to local hospital as a result of this incident. Damages associated with this incident exceeds $50,000. Although the gas meter assembly (msa) did not sustain damage from the fire, ventura county fire requested the service be abandoned due to extensive property damage and the potential of the weakened structure falling onto the msa. Later on november 24, 2018, once the area around the incident was safe and accessible, a socalgas crew began abandoning the service. In the process, the crew found a small leak at the service-to-main-connection (smc), which is located across the street (cortez street). The crew then proceeded to conduct leak survey and bar hole survey of the general area. Through these activities, the crew located a second leak on a 2-inch plastic main installed under lemar avenue. The crew isolated approximately 100 feet of the main to cut-off supply to that portion of the main. On monday, november 26, 2018, pipeline safety, compliance and emergency management department from socalgas became aware that natural gas indications were identified near the incident. Although the incident remains under investigation and no cause has been determined, a pipeline safety, compliance and emergency management representative notified the department of transportation and reported the incident to the cpuc. Investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. Tentatively, socalgas is coordinating with various parties involved to conduct a pressure test of the houseline on january 11, 2019, and an inspection of the socalgas components on january 18, 2019. For any further questions, contact khoa le at (626) 893-4536 update 2/21/19: on 1-11-2019, a site inspection was conducted at the address in question. Ha nguyen from cpuc was present. Experts representing the home insurance and socalgas were present. A pressure test of the houseline was conducted. During the test, a breach was found near the wall furnace at the houseline. A crack on a nipple and elbow of the houseline was found. Experts removed that part of the houseline and retested the remaining houseline. A couple of other leaks were found: one at the meter set assembly at a union fitting. Another leak was found at a line valve located in the garage. After the retest of houseline test, we discussed the next phase of inspecting the main line set for 1-18-2019. On 1-18-2019, another site inspection was conducted to examine the gas main pipe. Esi hosted the site inspection in irvine. All experts were present, including durga shrestha from the cpuc. Photos were taken by all parties, including digitally magnified images of the pipe surface. Discussion of future testing were pending. On 2-14-2019, another site inspection was conducted to examine the house's concrete foundation. All experts were present, including ha nguyen from the cpuc. Arrangements have been made to perform additional testing on the pipe on 3/26/19; cpuc is aware. 06-05-2019 update: - the section of main was inspected on 3/26/2019 at a 3rd party laboratory (vollmer gray laboratories in signal hills, ca). Sample was visually inspected, pressure tested and bend back tested. The identified leak cause was excessive stress, other than pressure (point load), in the vicinity of underground tree roots. After performing investigations, socalgas concludes that the cause of the explosion is undetermined.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2018-11-24 17:41:00
Year
2018
Report Received Date
2018-12-23 00:00:00
Iyear
2018.0
Report Number
20180123.0
Supplemental Number
32262.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
18484
Name
Southern California Gas Co
Operator Street Address
555 West Fifth Street
Operator City Name
Los Angeles
Operator State Abbreviation
CA
Operator Postal Code
90013
Local Datetime
2018-11-24 08:34:00
Location Street Address
493 Lemar Avenue
Location City Name
Oxnard
Location County Name
Ventura
Location State Abbreviation
CA
Location Postal Code
93036-0000
Location Latitude
34.242078
Location Longitude
-119.157956
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2018-11-26 08:14:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1231360
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
139.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
Yes
Num Emp Injuries
0
Num Contr Injuries
0
Num Er Injuries
0
Num Worker Injuries
0
Num Gp Injuries
3
Injure
3
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
12.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2018-11-24 17:41:00
On Site Datetime
2018-11-24 08:51:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Private Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Pavement
Depth Of Cover
34.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
1969.0
Pipe Diameter
2.0
Pipe Specification
Astm D2513
Pipe Manufacturer
Dupont
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Plastic Sdr
11
Material Pe Pipe Code
2306
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Crack
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
500000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
38963.0
Est Cost Emergency
200.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
834.0
Prpty
539997.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
1.0
Accident Psig
45.0
Normal Psig
45.0
Mop Psig
50.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Cause Details
Body Of Pipe
Pwjf Failure Type
Body Of Pipe
Pipe Body Subtype
Crack
Additional Crack Ind
Yes
Result Material Ind
Yes
Result Material Subtype
Other
Result Material Details
Axial Crack On Underside Of Main With Tree Route In Vicinity
Hydrotest Conducted Ind
No
Preparer Name
A******** H*****
Preparer Title
Pipeline Safety And Compliance Advisor
Preparer Email
A******@s**************.com
Preparer Telephone
9496972539
Authorizer Name
K*** L*
Authorizer Title
Sr Pipeline Safety And Compliance Advisor
Authorizer Telephone
6268934536
Authorizer Email
K***@s**************.com
Narrative
On saturday, november 24, 2018, socalgas was notified by ventura county fire department (ventura county fire) of a structure fire and explosion at 493 lemar ave, oxnard. The cause of the incident is unknown; initial information provided by ventura county fire suggested possible propane involvement. There were three injuries that were transported to local hospital as a result of this incident. Damages associated with this incident exceeds $50,000. Although the gas meter assembly (msa) did not sustain damage from the fire, ventura county fire requested the service be abandoned due to extensive property damage and the potential of the weakened structure falling onto the msa. Later on november 24, 2018, once the area around the incident was safe and accessible, a socalgas crew began abandoning the service. In the process, the crew found a small leak at the service-to-main-connection (smc), which is located across the street (cortez street). The crew then proceeded to conduct leak survey and bar hole survey of the general area. Through these activities, the crew located a second leak on a 2-inch plastic main installed under lemar avenue. The crew isolated approximately 100 feet of the main to cut-off supply to that portion of the main. On monday, november 26, 2018, pipeline safety, compliance and emergency management department from socalgas became aware that natural gas indications were identified near the incident. Although the incident remains under investigation and no cause has been determined, a pipeline safety, compliance and emergency management representative notified the department of transportation and reported the incident to the cpuc. Investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. Tentatively, socalgas is coordinating with various parties involved to conduct a pressure test of the houseline on january 11, 2019, and an inspection of the socalgas components on january 18, 2019. For any further questions, contact khoa le at (626) 893-4536 update 2/21/19: on 1-11-2019, a site inspection was conducted at the address in question. Ha nguyen from cpuc was present. Experts representing the home insurance and socalgas were present. A pressure test of the houseline was conducted. During the test, a breach was found near the wall furnace at the houseline. A crack on a nipple and elbow of the houseline was found. Experts removed that part of the houseline and retested the remaining houseline. A couple of other leaks were found: one at the meter set assembly at a union fitting. Another leak was found at a line valve located in the garage. After the retest of houseline test, we discussed the next phase of inspecting the main line set for 1-18-2019. On 1-18-2019, another site inspection was conducted to examine the gas main pipe. Esi hosted the site inspection in irvine. All experts were present, including durga shrestha from the cpuc. Photos were taken by all parties, including digitally magnified images of the pipe surface. Discussion of future testing were pending. On 2-14-2019, another site inspection was conducted to examine the house's concrete foundation. All experts were present, including ha nguyen from the cpuc. Arrangements have been made to perform additional testing on the pipe on 3/26/19; cpuc is aware. 06-05-2019 update: - the section of main was inspected on 3/26/2019 at a 3rd party laboratory (vollmer gray laboratories in signal hills, ca). Sample was visually inspected, pressure tested and bend back tested. The identified leak cause was excessive stress, other than pressure (point load), in the vicinity of underground tree roots. After performing investigations, socalgas concludes that the cause of the explosion is undetermined.
| Occurred At | 2018-11-24 17:41:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018 |
| Report Received Date | 2018-12-23 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2018.0 |
| Report Number | 20180123.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 32262.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 18484 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Southern California Gas Co |
| Operator Street Address | 555 West Fifth Street |
| Operator City Name | Los Angeles |
| Operator State Abbreviation | CA |
| Operator Postal Code | 90013 |
| Local Datetime | 2018-11-24 08:34:00 |
| Location Street Address | 493 Lemar Avenue |
| Location City Name | Oxnard |
| Location County Name | Ventura |
| Location State Abbreviation | CA |
| Location Postal Code | 93036-0000 |
| Location Latitude | 34.242078 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -119.157956 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2018-11-26 08:14:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1231360 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 139.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Injuries | 0 |
| Num Contr Injuries | 0 |
| Num Er Injuries | 0 |
| Num Worker Injuries | 0 |
| Num Gp Injuries | 3 |
| Injure | 3 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 12.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2018-11-24 17:41:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2018-11-24 08:51:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Private Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Pavement |
| Depth Of Cover | 34.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 1969.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 2.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Astm D2513 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Dupont |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Plastic Sdr | 11 |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | 2306 |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Crack |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 500000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 38963.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 200.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 834.0 |
| Prpty | 539997.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 1.0 |
| Accident Psig | 45.0 |
| Normal Psig | 45.0 |
| Mop Psig | 50.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure |
| Cause Details | Body Of Pipe |
| Pwjf Failure Type | Body Of Pipe |
| Pipe Body Subtype | Crack |
| Additional Crack Ind | Yes |
| Result Material Ind | Yes |
| Result Material Subtype | Other |
| Result Material Details | Axial Crack On Underside Of Main With Tree Route In Vicinity |
| Hydrotest Conducted Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | A******** H***** |
| Preparer Title | Pipeline Safety And Compliance Advisor |
| Preparer Email | A******@s**************.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 9496972539 |
| Authorizer Name | K*** L* |
| Authorizer Title | Sr Pipeline Safety And Compliance Advisor |
| Authorizer Telephone | 6268934536 |
| Authorizer Email | K***@s**************.com |
| Narrative | On saturday, november 24, 2018, socalgas was notified by ventura county fire department (ventura county fire) of a structure fire and explosion at 493 lemar ave, oxnard. The cause of the incident is unknown; initial information provided by ventura county fire suggested possible propane involvement. There were three injuries that were transported to local hospital as a result of this incident. Damages associated with this incident exceeds $50,000. Although the gas meter assembly (msa) did not sustain damage from the fire, ventura county fire requested the service be abandoned due to extensive property damage and the potential of the weakened structure falling onto the msa. Later on november 24, 2018, once the area around the incident was safe and accessible, a socalgas crew began abandoning the service. In the process, the crew found a small leak at the service-to-main-connection (smc), which is located across the street (cortez street). The crew then proceeded to conduct leak survey and bar hole survey of the general area. Through these activities, the crew located a second leak on a 2-inch plastic main installed under lemar avenue. The crew isolated approximately 100 feet of the main to cut-off supply to that portion of the main. On monday, november 26, 2018, pipeline safety, compliance and emergency management department from socalgas became aware that natural gas indications were identified near the incident. Although the incident remains under investigation and no cause has been determined, a pipeline safety, compliance and emergency management representative notified the department of transportation and reported the incident to the cpuc. Investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. Tentatively, socalgas is coordinating with various parties involved to conduct a pressure test of the houseline on january 11, 2019, and an inspection of the socalgas components on january 18, 2019. For any further questions, contact khoa le at (626) 893-4536 update 2/21/19: on 1-11-2019, a site inspection was conducted at the address in question. Ha nguyen from cpuc was present. Experts representing the home insurance and socalgas were present. A pressure test of the houseline was conducted. During the test, a breach was found near the wall furnace at the houseline. A crack on a nipple and elbow of the houseline was found. Experts removed that part of the houseline and retested the remaining houseline. A couple of other leaks were found: one at the meter set assembly at a union fitting. Another leak was found at a line valve located in the garage. After the retest of houseline test, we discussed the next phase of inspecting the main line set for 1-18-2019. On 1-18-2019, another site inspection was conducted to examine the gas main pipe. Esi hosted the site inspection in irvine. All experts were present, including durga shrestha from the cpuc. Photos were taken by all parties, including digitally magnified images of the pipe surface. Discussion of future testing were pending. On 2-14-2019, another site inspection was conducted to examine the house's concrete foundation. All experts were present, including ha nguyen from the cpuc. Arrangements have been made to perform additional testing on the pipe on 3/26/19; cpuc is aware. 06-05-2019 update: - the section of main was inspected on 3/26/2019 at a 3rd party laboratory (vollmer gray laboratories in signal hills, ca). Sample was visually inspected, pressure tested and bend back tested. The identified leak cause was excessive stress, other than pressure (point load), in the vicinity of underground tree roots. After performing investigations, socalgas concludes that the cause of the explosion is undetermined. |
External Resources
PHMSA pipeline safety insights.
Product
Features
Company
All rights reserved. Copyright © by ClearPHMSA