Press Release

PUC Safety Division Provides Update on Investigation of 2022 Incident in Plum, Allegheny County

Published on 9/5/2023

Filed under: Gas

No Evidence of Public Utility Natural Gas Equipment Causing the Explosion and Fire that Damaged Several Homes on Hialeah Drive

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 an April 2022 incident in Plum Borough, Allegheny County, finding no evidence that public utility equipment caused the event.

Hialeah Drive Incident Overview

On April 23, 2022, pipeline safety engineers from the Safety Division responded to and initiated an investigation of a reported explosion and fire at 5021 Hialeah Drive in Plum Borough, Allegheny County. This explosion at Hialeah Drive injured five people, destroyed one home and damaged several other neighboring residences.

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 agencies who also responded to the incident.

Safety Division Investigation

The investigation by pipeline safety engineers included detailed interviews with Peoples Natural Gas 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. 

Actions taken during the investigation included:

• Testing of Peoples Natural Gas service lines, meters, and regulators, along with the testing of odor levels in the natural gas distribution system.
• Monitoring leak survey bar holes while exploring for gas indications in and around 5021 Hialeah Drive and above the underground gas facilities.
• Directing Peoples Natural Gas to continue performing leak surveys for several days following the incident, along with safety checks in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Observing work by Peoples Natural Gas to safely restore service to affected customers.

Additionally, engineers from the Safety Division provided oversight in the collection of evidence around the incident site, along with reviewing gas consumption records for 5021 Hialeah Drive and carefully studying operator records and maps of public utility facilities in that area.           

At this point in time, the Safety Division has not found any evidence that public utility equipment caused the April 2022 event in Plum Borough, and there are also no indications of natural gas migrating through the soil around the incident site.

The focus of any further review of this incident involves the interior of the residence, which is outside the scope of the PUC’s jurisdiction and is subject to investigation by other agencies.

The Safety Division appreciates the cooperation of Plum Borough, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office and various other agencies who responded to this incident – and thanks the residents and others impacted by this incident for their cooperation and patience during the investigation.   

About the Safety Division and Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement

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.

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