Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2020-12-08 — NE
Operator
Metropolitan Utilities District
Cause
Other Outside Force Damage
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
3 fatalities
1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$12,500
Incident datetime
2020-12-08 08:25
Report number
Location
NE, DOUGLAS
Narrative
On december 8, 2020 at approximately 0825hrs the metropolitan utilities district (district) was notified by the omaha fire department (ofd) of a working fire at 4810 s 51st street, omaha nebraska. District personnel arrived and shut off the gas to this residence. There was a possibility natural gas contributed to this incident/loss but there was no determination made at that time. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined. On the day of the loss, district personnel performed a gas leak survey and an odorant test of the gas transmission and service lines in the area. The gas leak survey showed no issues with the gas transmission line or any connecting services. The odorant test indicated sufficient odorant at all test locations in the area. On december 23, 2020 there was a combined investigation with several parties of interest to try and locate the origin and cause of the loss. During this combined investigation, the gas service to 4810 s 51st street was pressure tested. The results of this pressure test revealed no issues or leaks with the gas service from the gas transmission line to the house foundation. To date, the districts investigation remains open. 12/30/21- after investigation, the metropolitan utilities district has determined that the apparent cause of the incident was tampering with the pipeline inside the structure. The district's conclusion is consistent with the results of a joint nebraska state fire marshal agency and omaha fire department investigation that took place following the incident. In a closing action letter from nebraska state fire marshal to the district, the nebraska state fire marshal concluded, following their investigation, that "the pressure test showed that the pipeline did remain intact and no gas was detected outside of the structure during the leak survey. The search and sorting through debris concluded with evidence discovery of tampering and the removal of the natural gas safety device from pipeline inside of the structure." the metropolitan utilities district has closed its investigation in regard to this incident.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2020-12-08 08:25:00
Year
2020
Report Received Date
2021-01-08 00:00:00
Iyear
2020.0
Report Number
20210006.0
Supplemental Number
36187.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
12390
Name
Metropolitan Utilities District
Operator Street Address
7350 World Communications Dr
Operator City Name
Omaha
Operator State Abbreviation
NE
Operator Postal Code
68122
Local Datetime
2020-12-08 08:14:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Street Address
4810 S 51st Street
Location City Name
Omaha
Location County Name
Douglas
Location State Abbreviation
NE
Location Postal Code
68117
Location Latitude
41.21095
Location Longitude
-95.99487
Flow Cont Service Valve Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2020-12-08 09:35:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1293782
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
1.795
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
Yes
Num Emp Fatalities
0
Num Contr Fatalities
0
Num Er Fatalities
0
Num Worker Fatalities
0
Num Gp Fatalities
3
Fatal
3
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
Ignite Datetime
2020-12-08 08:14:00
How Extinguished
Local/state/federal Emergency Responder
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
1795
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
0.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2020-12-08 08:25:00
On Site Datetime
2020-12-08 08:27:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Private Property
Incident Area Type
Aboveground
Incident Area Subtype
Inside A Building
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Municipally Owned
System Part Involved
Inside Meter/regulator Set
Installation Year
1959.0
Customer Type
Single Family Residential
Was Efv Installed Before Ind
No
Curb Valve Inst Before Inc Ind
Yes
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Other
Steel Seam Type Details
Black Iron
Wt Steel
0.133
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Unknown At This Time
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
500000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
12500.0
Est Cost Emergency
3000.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
2.81
Est Cost Unintentional Release
5.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
515505.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
3.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
4.0
Num Business Building Affctd
0.0
Accident Psig
10.0
Normal Psig
10.0
Mop Psig
10.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(3)
Maop Established Date
1970-07-01 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Injection Pump
Gas Odorized Level
11
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
Yes
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
The incident was contained to the single residence
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Other Outside Force Damage
Cause Details
Intentional Damage
Outside Force Type
Intentional Damage
Intentional Subtype
Other
Intentional Details
Tampering And Removal Of The Natural Gas Safety Device From Pipeline Inside Of The Structure
Preparer Name
M****** C*****
Preparer Title
Senior Claims Investigator
Preparer Email
M**********@m******.com
Preparer Telephone
402-504-7165
Preparer Fax
402-504-5165
Local Contact Name
M****** C*****
Local Contact Email
M**********@m******.com
Local Contact Telephone
402-504-7165
Authorizer Name
M****** C*****
Authorizer Title
Senior Claims Investigator
Authorizer Telephone
402-504-7165
Authorizer Email
M**********@m******.com
Narrative
On december 8, 2020 at approximately 0825hrs the metropolitan utilities district (district) was notified by the omaha fire department (ofd) of a working fire at 4810 s 51st street, omaha nebraska. District personnel arrived and shut off the gas to this residence. There was a possibility natural gas contributed to this incident/loss but there was no determination made at that time. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined. On the day of the loss, district personnel performed a gas leak survey and an odorant test of the gas transmission and service lines in the area. The gas leak survey showed no issues with the gas transmission line or any connecting services. The odorant test indicated sufficient odorant at all test locations in the area. On december 23, 2020 there was a combined investigation with several parties of interest to try and locate the origin and cause of the loss. During this combined investigation, the gas service to 4810 s 51st street was pressure tested. The results of this pressure test revealed no issues or leaks with the gas service from the gas transmission line to the house foundation. To date, the districts investigation remains open. 12/30/21- after investigation, the metropolitan utilities district has determined that the apparent cause of the incident was tampering with the pipeline inside the structure. The district's conclusion is consistent with the results of a joint nebraska state fire marshal agency and omaha fire department investigation that took place following the incident. In a closing action letter from nebraska state fire marshal to the district, the nebraska state fire marshal concluded, following their investigation, that "the pressure test showed that the pipeline did remain intact and no gas was detected outside of the structure during the leak survey. The search and sorting through debris concluded with evidence discovery of tampering and the removal of the natural gas safety device from pipeline inside of the structure." the metropolitan utilities district has closed its investigation in regard to this incident.
| Occurred At | 2020-12-08 08:25:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
| Report Received Date | 2021-01-08 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2020.0 |
| Report Number | 20210006.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 36187.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 12390 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Metropolitan Utilities District |
| Operator Street Address | 7350 World Communications Dr |
| Operator City Name | Omaha |
| Operator State Abbreviation | NE |
| Operator Postal Code | 68122 |
| Local Datetime | 2020-12-08 08:14:00 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Street Address | 4810 S 51st Street |
| Location City Name | Omaha |
| Location County Name | Douglas |
| Location State Abbreviation | NE |
| Location Postal Code | 68117 |
| Location Latitude | 41.21095 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -95.99487 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Service Valve Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2020-12-08 09:35:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1293782 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 1.795 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Contr Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Er Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Worker Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Gp Fatalities | 3 |
| Fatal | 3 |
| 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 |
| Ignite Datetime | 2020-12-08 08:14:00 |
| How Extinguished | Local/state/federal Emergency Responder |
| Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf | 1795 |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2020-12-08 08:25:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2020-12-08 08:27:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Private Property |
| Incident Area Type | Aboveground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Inside A Building |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Municipally Owned |
| System Part Involved | Inside Meter/regulator Set |
| Installation Year | 1959.0 |
| Customer Type | Single Family Residential |
| Was Efv Installed Before Ind | No |
| Curb Valve Inst Before Inc Ind | Yes |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Other |
| Steel Seam Type Details | Black Iron |
| Wt Steel | 0.133 |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Unknown At This Time |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 500000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 12500.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 3000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 2.81 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 5.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 515505.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 3.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 4.0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0.0 |
| Accident Psig | 10.0 |
| Normal Psig | 10.0 |
| Mop Psig | 10.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(3) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 1970-07-01 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Injection Pump |
| Gas Odorized Level | 11 |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | Yes |
| 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 | The incident was contained to the single residence |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Other Outside Force Damage |
| Cause Details | Intentional Damage |
| Outside Force Type | Intentional Damage |
| Intentional Subtype | Other |
| Intentional Details | Tampering And Removal Of The Natural Gas Safety Device From Pipeline Inside Of The Structure |
| Preparer Name | M****** C***** |
| Preparer Title | Senior Claims Investigator |
| Preparer Email | M**********@m******.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 402-504-7165 |
| Preparer Fax | 402-504-5165 |
| Local Contact Name | M****** C***** |
| Local Contact Email | M**********@m******.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 402-504-7165 |
| Authorizer Name | M****** C***** |
| Authorizer Title | Senior Claims Investigator |
| Authorizer Telephone | 402-504-7165 |
| Authorizer Email | M**********@m******.com |
| Narrative | On december 8, 2020 at approximately 0825hrs the metropolitan utilities district (district) was notified by the omaha fire department (ofd) of a working fire at 4810 s 51st street, omaha nebraska. District personnel arrived and shut off the gas to this residence. There was a possibility natural gas contributed to this incident/loss but there was no determination made at that time. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined. On the day of the loss, district personnel performed a gas leak survey and an odorant test of the gas transmission and service lines in the area. The gas leak survey showed no issues with the gas transmission line or any connecting services. The odorant test indicated sufficient odorant at all test locations in the area. On december 23, 2020 there was a combined investigation with several parties of interest to try and locate the origin and cause of the loss. During this combined investigation, the gas service to 4810 s 51st street was pressure tested. The results of this pressure test revealed no issues or leaks with the gas service from the gas transmission line to the house foundation. To date, the districts investigation remains open. 12/30/21- after investigation, the metropolitan utilities district has determined that the apparent cause of the incident was tampering with the pipeline inside the structure. The district's conclusion is consistent with the results of a joint nebraska state fire marshal agency and omaha fire department investigation that took place following the incident. In a closing action letter from nebraska state fire marshal to the district, the nebraska state fire marshal concluded, following their investigation, that "the pressure test showed that the pipeline did remain intact and no gas was detected outside of the structure during the leak survey. The search and sorting through debris concluded with evidence discovery of tampering and the removal of the natural gas safety device from pipeline inside of the structure." the metropolitan utilities district has closed its investigation in regard to this incident. |
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