Posted: 1:18 am PDT September 27, 2011Updated: 8:30 am PDT September 27, 2011
SEATTLE -- Puget Sound Energy crews worked early Tuesday to check and repair gas lines within a five-mile radius of an earlier explosion and fire in Seattle.The blast Monday morning blew apart a house and seriously injured the two people inside on 5th Avenue Northeast near Northeast 123rd Street.Utility crews are concerned there may be more leaks similar to leaks first reported in the Pinehurst neighborhood on Sunday.Crews found three gas leaks Sunday. And late Monday, PSE reversed earlier statements and said those leaks could be connected to the gas leak that caused the explosion and fire Monday.Puget Sound Energy CEO Kimberley Harris held a news conference late Monday to reveal that a gas leak was found in the service line leading to the house that exploded.Harris said a tree fell onto a power line Sunday. Investigators believe the power line energized the gas line and caused the leaks.Arcing between the gas line and a nearby copper water pipe may also be to blame for a hole in the water line.Seattle Public Utilities responded to a water line leak Sunday afternoon at 913 Northeast 122nd Avenue.Puget Sound Energy is offering home inspections for concerned neighbors.Harris said residents did not need to fear about their safety. No additional leaks had been found as of Monday night.The blast Monday morning was heard and felt for miles. KIRO 7 viewers from as far away as Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Bothell reported hearing the explosion just after 6 a.m.Chopper 7 showed towering flames minutes after the explosion. SLIDESHOW: Flames Leap From Explosion Scene WATCH IT: Blast Blows Out Windows, Shakes Homes The explosion destroyed the home of David Ingham and Hong Phung, sending debris flying blocks away.Phung was in serious condition at the burn unit at Harborview Medical Center Monday night.Ingham, who works for Seattle City Light, was listed in satisfactory condition.A neighbor said the couple ran next door for help."I got them into our bathroom. They stood in our shower and I got water on them," said Evan Gullicson.Gullicson said the Inghams had smelled gas Sunday night but did not call PSE to report it.Seattle Fire Department investigators believe the gas was sparked when the couple woke up and turned on an electrical device, possibly a light switch.Puget Sound Energy is urging residents to call 1-888-225-5773 or 911 if they suspect a gas leak.PSE has added a rotten-egg smell to natural gas to help detect leaks. The company urges residents to also report a possible leak if they see dirt blowing, bubbles rising in a puddle or hear a hissing sound.
Copyright 2011 by KIROTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Uke said
10:23 AM, 09/27/11
Meanwhile on BNSF along the I-5 corridor, somebody (maybe terrests) were 'tampering' with tracks. Gus Melonas was blabbing on the radio this morn.
Then again what the reporter failed ta mention was this piece of main line is 'shared' with Uncle Pete's trains tu. And Amtrak, Sounder Trains, and the Cascades trains inta Vancouver, Canada.
Seems BNSF is taking this personally. Maybe too personally!
Main rail line south of Chehalis examined for tampering
OLYMPIA, Wash. Sheriff's deputies and BNSF railroad police are investigating what they say are about a dozen instances of possible tampering with the tracks in southwest Washington. BNSF officials declined to make any connection with an ongoing labor dispute in Longview.
The busy main line between Chehalis and Vancouver, Wash., was temporarily shut down at midday Monday for inspection. Some Amtrak and freight trains were delayed by more than three hours. BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas says railroad security will continue to watch its traffic closely.
"By mid-afternoon we determined due to a thorough investigation of the physical plant that it was safe to move traffic through. So the line is open. We're running trains now through the corridor. But we will continue to keep an extremely close eye on all components of the rail operation," Melonas said.
Neither Melonas nor the Cowlitz County sheriff's office would provide details on how the rail line was tampered with. BNSF also wouldn't say whether the tampering had any connection with an ongoing labor dispute in Longview. Over the past month, numerous longshoremen and their supporters have been arrested for blocking rail shipments to a grain terminal staffed by a rival union.
Nope! Natural gas leak... And a spark of some sort!
Concern About More Gas Leaks After Explosion, PSE Search Expands
Posted: 1:18 am PDT September 27, 2011Updated: 8:30 am PDT September 27, 2011
The explosion destroyed the home of David Ingham and Hong Phung, sending debris flying blocks away.Phung was in serious condition at the burn unit at Harborview Medical Center Monday night.Ingham, who works for Seattle City Light, was listed in satisfactory condition.A neighbor said the couple ran next door for help."I got them into our bathroom. They stood in our shower and I got water on them," said Evan Gullicson.Gullicson said the Inghams had smelled gas Sunday night but did not call PSE to report it.Seattle Fire Department investigators believe the gas was sparked when the couple woke up and turned on an electrical device, possibly a light switch.Puget Sound Energy is urging residents to call 1-888-225-5773 or 911 if they suspect a gas leak.PSE has added a rotten-egg smell to natural gas to help detect leaks. The company urges residents to also report a possible leak if they see dirt blowing, bubbles rising in a puddle or hear a hissing sound.
View Larger Map
Copyright 2011 by KIROTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Meanwhile on BNSF along the I-5 corridor, somebody (maybe terrests) were 'tampering' with tracks. Gus Melonas was blabbing on the radio this morn.
Then again what the reporter failed ta mention was this piece of main line is 'shared' with Uncle Pete's trains tu. And Amtrak, Sounder Trains, and the Cascades trains inta Vancouver, Canada.
Seems BNSF is taking this personally. Maybe too personally!
Main rail line south of Chehalis examined for tampering
OLYMPIA, Wash. Sheriff's deputies and BNSF railroad police are investigating what they say are about a dozen instances of possible tampering with the tracks in southwest Washington. BNSF officials declined to make any connection with an ongoing labor dispute in Longview.
The busy main line between Chehalis and Vancouver, Wash., was temporarily shut down at midday Monday for inspection. Some Amtrak and freight trains were delayed by more than three hours. BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas says railroad security will continue to watch its traffic closely.
Neither Melonas nor the Cowlitz County sheriff's office would provide details on how the rail line was tampered with. BNSF also wouldn't say whether the tampering had any connection with an ongoing labor dispute in Longview. Over the past month, numerous longshoremen and their supporters have been arrested for blocking rail shipments to a grain terminal staffed by a rival union.
Copyright 2011 Northwest News Network