Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2019-02-02 — MI
Operator
Consumers Energy Co
Cause
Pipe, Weld, Or Joint Failure
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$48,804
Incident datetime
2019-02-02 21:45
Report number
Location
MI, OAKLAND
Narrative
On february 2, 2019 at approximately 22:54 hours a home explosion and subsequent fire occurred at 406 irwin avenue, pontiac, michigan (oakland county). A male occupant was injured in the explosion and transported to the local hospital. The home was a complete loss with an estimated value of approximately $59,400. Prior to the explosion, at approximately 21:45 hours consumers energy received and responded to an outside leak investigation at 443 south boulevard, pontiac, mi. The gas service worker (gsw) arrived onsite at approximately 22:18, heard blowing gas at/near the service tee and requested a distribution crew. The gsw also obtained 6% free air reads at the property entrance and advised the occupants not to re-enter the home. While continuing to investigate the area, the gsw heard what he believed may have been an explosion nearby (approximately 500 feet from the south blvd. Location) and notified his field leader. Further investigation of the area determined gas reads (approximately 55% gas) in the sanitary sewer system located approximately 73 feet west of the sewer lead serving 406 irwin ave. Gas reads were also obtained at 398 irwin ave. Resulting in an evacuation of the occupant at this property. (following additional investigation, the sewer lead for 406 irwin avenue was later determined to be south of the sanitary sewer located at the intersection of going street and irwin avenue) the distribution crew arrived on february 3, 2019 at approximately 00:35 hours. The source of the blowing gas was determined to be a leak on the 3/4 inch pipe thread that tied into the high pressure regulator. The service line, regulator and security were replaced and gas reads began to dissipate from the sanitary sewer. On february 20, 2019 the interested parties met on-scene to conduct a joint scene investigation. The parties agreed the current weather conditions and the structural integrity of the property made it unsafe to proceed forward with the investigation. The joint scene investigation was postponed for approximately 30 days. Until a full on-scene investigation can be completed the cause and origin remains classified as undetermined. On march 25, 2019 a joint scene investigation was performed, the location was carefully excavated and all gas appliances were removed and transported to the safety engineering laboratories, inc. (sel) for future investigation and testing. The following day, march 26, 2019 destructive testing for the failure that occurred on the buried regulator located at 443 south boulevard was performed at the consumers energy trail street laboratory. On april 10, 2019 a joint scene exam was held with consumers energy, sel and the mpsc. The basement of the residence was excavated and water drained in the attempt to locate, trace and video (photograph) the sewer line from the inside of the home to the sanitary sewer under the roadway. During the investigation, a hole (approximately 4x4) cut into the top of the metal sewer line in the basement before the sewer trap was discovered. The sewer line also ran into a repaired sinkhole area on goings instead of irwin as previously described by the city of pontiac water department employee from an earlier investigation. Following a series on investigative activities, it has been determined the probable cause of the explosion was the ignition of natural gas. The ignition source remains undetermined. Additionally, the cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed due to the lack of cooperation by the legal representative for the property's resident.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2019-02-02 21:45:00
Year
2019
Report Received Date
2019-03-04 00:00:00
Iyear
2019.0
Report Number
20190021.0
Supplemental Number
32949.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
2748
Name
Consumers Energy Co
Operator Street Address
One Energy Plaza
Operator City Name
Jackson
Operator State Abbreviation
MI
Operator Postal Code
49201
Local Datetime
2019-02-02 22:54:00
Location Street Address
406 Irwin Avenue
Location City Name
Pontiac
Location County Name
Oakland
Location State Abbreviation
MI
Location Postal Code
48341
Location Latitude
42.620444
Location Longitude
-83.272313
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2019-02-03 02:18:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1236645
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
95.7
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
1
Injure
1
Ignite Ind
Yes
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
3.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2019-02-02 21:45:00
On Site Datetime
2019-02-02 22:18:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Under Soil
Depth Of Cover
36.0
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Privately Owned
System Part Involved
Other
System Part Details
Buried Regulator
Material Involved
Steel
Release Type
Leak
Leak Type
Crack
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
59405.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
48804.0
Est Cost Emergency
2124.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Est Cost Unintentional Release
307.0
Prpty
110640.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
2.0
Accident Psig
259.0
Normal Psig
259.0
Mop Psig
274.0
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
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
The facility is not monitored by scada
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
Other
Pipe Body Details
The Source Of The Blowing Gas Was Determined To Be A Leak On The 3/4 Inch Pipe Thread That Tied Into The High Pressure Regulator.
Additional Other Ind
Yes
Additional Factor Details
The Source Of The Blowing Gas Was Determined To Be A Leak On The 3/4 Inch Pipe Thread That Tied Into The High Pressure Regulator.
Result Material Ind
Yes
Result Material Subtype
Other
Result Material Details
Circumferential Crack At The Thread
Hydrotest Conducted Ind
No
Preparer Name
C******* K***
Preparer Title
Senior Engineering Technical Analyst Ii
Preparer Email
C************@c********.com
Preparer Telephone
989-280-2963
Authorizer Name
J**** P****
Authorizer Title
Gas Compliance Lead
Authorizer Telephone
989-791-5749
Authorizer Email
J**********@c********.com
Narrative
On february 2, 2019 at approximately 22:54 hours a home explosion and subsequent fire occurred at 406 irwin avenue, pontiac, michigan (oakland county). A male occupant was injured in the explosion and transported to the local hospital. The home was a complete loss with an estimated value of approximately $59,400. Prior to the explosion, at approximately 21:45 hours consumers energy received and responded to an outside leak investigation at 443 south boulevard, pontiac, mi. The gas service worker (gsw) arrived onsite at approximately 22:18, heard blowing gas at/near the service tee and requested a distribution crew. The gsw also obtained 6% free air reads at the property entrance and advised the occupants not to re-enter the home. While continuing to investigate the area, the gsw heard what he believed may have been an explosion nearby (approximately 500 feet from the south blvd. Location) and notified his field leader. Further investigation of the area determined gas reads (approximately 55% gas) in the sanitary sewer system located approximately 73 feet west of the sewer lead serving 406 irwin ave. Gas reads were also obtained at 398 irwin ave. Resulting in an evacuation of the occupant at this property. (following additional investigation, the sewer lead for 406 irwin avenue was later determined to be south of the sanitary sewer located at the intersection of going street and irwin avenue) the distribution crew arrived on february 3, 2019 at approximately 00:35 hours. The source of the blowing gas was determined to be a leak on the 3/4 inch pipe thread that tied into the high pressure regulator. The service line, regulator and security were replaced and gas reads began to dissipate from the sanitary sewer. On february 20, 2019 the interested parties met on-scene to conduct a joint scene investigation. The parties agreed the current weather conditions and the structural integrity of the property made it unsafe to proceed forward with the investigation. The joint scene investigation was postponed for approximately 30 days. Until a full on-scene investigation can be completed the cause and origin remains classified as undetermined. On march 25, 2019 a joint scene investigation was performed, the location was carefully excavated and all gas appliances were removed and transported to the safety engineering laboratories, inc. (sel) for future investigation and testing. The following day, march 26, 2019 destructive testing for the failure that occurred on the buried regulator located at 443 south boulevard was performed at the consumers energy trail street laboratory. On april 10, 2019 a joint scene exam was held with consumers energy, sel and the mpsc. The basement of the residence was excavated and water drained in the attempt to locate, trace and video (photograph) the sewer line from the inside of the home to the sanitary sewer under the roadway. During the investigation, a hole (approximately 4x4) cut into the top of the metal sewer line in the basement before the sewer trap was discovered. The sewer line also ran into a repaired sinkhole area on goings instead of irwin as previously described by the city of pontiac water department employee from an earlier investigation. Following a series on investigative activities, it has been determined the probable cause of the explosion was the ignition of natural gas. The ignition source remains undetermined. Additionally, the cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed due to the lack of cooperation by the legal representative for the property's resident.
| Occurred At | 2019-02-02 21:45:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019 |
| Report Received Date | 2019-03-04 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2019.0 |
| Report Number | 20190021.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 32949.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 2748 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Consumers Energy Co |
| Operator Street Address | One Energy Plaza |
| Operator City Name | Jackson |
| Operator State Abbreviation | MI |
| Operator Postal Code | 49201 |
| Local Datetime | 2019-02-02 22:54:00 |
| Location Street Address | 406 Irwin Avenue |
| Location City Name | Pontiac |
| Location County Name | Oakland |
| Location State Abbreviation | MI |
| Location Postal Code | 48341 |
| Location Latitude | 42.620444 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -83.272313 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2019-02-03 02:18:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1236645 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 95.7 |
| 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 | 1 |
| Injure | 1 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 3.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2019-02-02 21:45:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2019-02-02 22:18:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Under Soil |
| Depth Of Cover | 36.0 |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Privately Owned |
| System Part Involved | Other |
| System Part Details | Buried Regulator |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Release Type | Leak |
| Leak Type | Crack |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 59405.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 48804.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 2124.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 307.0 |
| Prpty | 110640.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 2.0 |
| Accident Psig | 259.0 |
| Normal Psig | 259.0 |
| Mop Psig | 274.0 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| 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 | The facility is not monitored by scada |
| 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 | Other |
| Pipe Body Details | The Source Of The Blowing Gas Was Determined To Be A Leak On The 3/4 Inch Pipe Thread That Tied Into The High Pressure Regulator. |
| Additional Other Ind | Yes |
| Additional Factor Details | The Source Of The Blowing Gas Was Determined To Be A Leak On The 3/4 Inch Pipe Thread That Tied Into The High Pressure Regulator. |
| Result Material Ind | Yes |
| Result Material Subtype | Other |
| Result Material Details | Circumferential Crack At The Thread |
| Hydrotest Conducted Ind | No |
| Preparer Name | C******* K*** |
| Preparer Title | Senior Engineering Technical Analyst Ii |
| Preparer Email | C************@c********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 989-280-2963 |
| Authorizer Name | J**** P**** |
| Authorizer Title | Gas Compliance Lead |
| Authorizer Telephone | 989-791-5749 |
| Authorizer Email | J**********@c********.com |
| Narrative | On february 2, 2019 at approximately 22:54 hours a home explosion and subsequent fire occurred at 406 irwin avenue, pontiac, michigan (oakland county). A male occupant was injured in the explosion and transported to the local hospital. The home was a complete loss with an estimated value of approximately $59,400. Prior to the explosion, at approximately 21:45 hours consumers energy received and responded to an outside leak investigation at 443 south boulevard, pontiac, mi. The gas service worker (gsw) arrived onsite at approximately 22:18, heard blowing gas at/near the service tee and requested a distribution crew. The gsw also obtained 6% free air reads at the property entrance and advised the occupants not to re-enter the home. While continuing to investigate the area, the gsw heard what he believed may have been an explosion nearby (approximately 500 feet from the south blvd. Location) and notified his field leader. Further investigation of the area determined gas reads (approximately 55% gas) in the sanitary sewer system located approximately 73 feet west of the sewer lead serving 406 irwin ave. Gas reads were also obtained at 398 irwin ave. Resulting in an evacuation of the occupant at this property. (following additional investigation, the sewer lead for 406 irwin avenue was later determined to be south of the sanitary sewer located at the intersection of going street and irwin avenue) the distribution crew arrived on february 3, 2019 at approximately 00:35 hours. The source of the blowing gas was determined to be a leak on the 3/4 inch pipe thread that tied into the high pressure regulator. The service line, regulator and security were replaced and gas reads began to dissipate from the sanitary sewer. On february 20, 2019 the interested parties met on-scene to conduct a joint scene investigation. The parties agreed the current weather conditions and the structural integrity of the property made it unsafe to proceed forward with the investigation. The joint scene investigation was postponed for approximately 30 days. Until a full on-scene investigation can be completed the cause and origin remains classified as undetermined. On march 25, 2019 a joint scene investigation was performed, the location was carefully excavated and all gas appliances were removed and transported to the safety engineering laboratories, inc. (sel) for future investigation and testing. The following day, march 26, 2019 destructive testing for the failure that occurred on the buried regulator located at 443 south boulevard was performed at the consumers energy trail street laboratory. On april 10, 2019 a joint scene exam was held with consumers energy, sel and the mpsc. The basement of the residence was excavated and water drained in the attempt to locate, trace and video (photograph) the sewer line from the inside of the home to the sanitary sewer under the roadway. During the investigation, a hole (approximately 4x4) cut into the top of the metal sewer line in the basement before the sewer trap was discovered. The sewer line also ran into a repaired sinkhole area on goings instead of irwin as previously described by the city of pontiac water department employee from an earlier investigation. Following a series on investigative activities, it has been determined the probable cause of the explosion was the ignition of natural gas. The ignition source remains undetermined. Additionally, the cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed due to the lack of cooperation by the legal representative for the property's resident. |
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