Press Release

PUC Safety Division Concludes Investigation of May 2022 Incident in Pottstown

Published on 3/28/2023

Filed under: Gas

No Evidence of Public Utility Natural Gas Service Contributing to Deadly Event; Study of Factors Inside the Residence are Outside PUC Jurisdiction

HARRISBURG – The Safety Division of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) – which is part of the Commission’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) – has concluded their thorough investigation into a May 2022 incident in Pottstown, Montgomery County, finding no evidence that public utility natural gas service contributed to that deadly event.

Pottstown Incident Overview

On May 26, 2022, pipeline safety engineers from the Safety Division responded to the scene of a reported explosion and house fire at 453/455 Hale Street in Pottstown – a two unit multi-story residential structure at the corner of Hale Street and Butler Avenue. The incident resulted in five deaths, several injuries and severe damage to multiple nearby homes.

While initial firefighting and recovery efforts were underway, investigators from the Safety Division began gathering preliminary information from residents, responders, and utilities around that location. After the initial fire and rescue activities had concluded, safety engineers began a more detailed investigation at the site – working alongside other state, federal and local agencies who also responded to the incident.

Safety Division Findings

The investigation by pipeline safety engineers included detailed interviews with gas company employees, first responders and residents; the extensive examination of physical jurisdictional evidence and utility operational records; the monitoring of service restorations and repairs around the incident site; and other observations by expert engineers. 

In concluding their investigation, the Safety Division has determined the following:

• The home that was destroyed was not being provided with natural gas service by PECO.
• Individual propane service, which is outside the jurisdiction of the PUC, was observed in the rear of the building.
• On the day of the explosion, and during following days, the use of several gas detection devices using different technologies did not produce any evidence that natural gas from PECO’s facilities contributed to this event.
• The closest gas main was located near the sidewalk on Hale Street, up-grade from the home.
• While gas leaks were identified on Hale Street during the investigation, the gas migration patterns were not found to continue in the foundation wall of the residence involved in the incident. Also, there was no indication gas migrated to the building through other conduits.
• Separately, low level “nonstandard” methane readings were found in the yard of the home, indicating they may be methane or combustibles from another source. Based on the review of samples that were taken at the site, these readings were found inconclusive, with the highest likelihood that they were not a contributing factor to the event.
• The focus of any further investigation remains on the interior of the residence, but this is outside the scope of the PUC’s jurisdiction.

The Safety Division appreciates the cooperation of Pottstown officials and various other local, state and federal emergency agencies who were part of the initial response and following investigation, along with residents and others impacted by this incident.   

PUC Safety Division Jurisdiction and Investigations

During all investigations by the Safety Division, data is gathered and analyzed – exploring the cause and circumstances surrounding an incident, along with whether there are any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations. Any determinations and/or actions are based on that information, within the scope of the PUC’s jurisdiction, and any safety concerns identified by investigators are addressed promptly with regulated pipeline operators and/or utilities.  

It is important to note that I&E investigations are limited – by regulation – to the involvement of, or impact from, utilities and utility systems under the jurisdiction of the PUC, along with natural gas transported by those assets. I&E does not have jurisdiction to investigate items, events, or piping beyond the outlet of a service meter within a structure – and the interior, non-jurisdictional, assets involved in incidents are the subject of investigation by other parties and agencies outside the PUC.

About the Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement

Engineers from the Safety Division are in the field daily, conducting inspections of utility construction, operations and integrity management activities. They also investigate issues discovered during their inspections, along with incidents, accidents and events reported by utility operators, emergency response agencies or the public.  

I&E, as the independent investigation and enforcement bureau of the PUC, enforces state and federal pipeline safety and motor carrier safety laws and regulations and represents the public interest in ratemaking and service matters before the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge. I&E has the authority to bring enforcement action, seek emergency orders from the Commission or take other steps to enforce safety regulations and promote public safety.

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Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov