FLORESVILLE, Texas – A 30-day report from the Texas Railroad Commission on the gas line explosion in Floresville highlighted what led to the incident on July 16.
The explosion, which occurred in the 1600 block of H Street, resulted from a series of oversights prior to, and during, excavation activities by 4C Unlimited, a contractor installing telecommunications conduit for Rise Broadband, the report said.
The report showed the total property damage cost was $517,016.
The incident began when CenterPoint Energy responded to a report of a gas odor at 1705 10th St. around 11:30 the morning of July 16. Although no gas leak was detected on the property, the technician noticed an odor and expanded the search to nearby areas.
A contract locator representative informed the technician of potential damage to CenterPoint Energy’s gas line on H Street caused by 4C Unlimited around 11:45 a.m., according to the report. It was later revealed that 4C Unlimited did not report this possible damage to CenterPoint Energy.
The technician discovered gas venting from the ground at several locations along H Street and identified gas blowing from the sewer lateral at 1601 H St, the report said. This prompted considerations for evacuations east of 1601 H St., in the direction of the suspected bore path, and additional resources from CenterPoint Energy were called in to manage the situation.
By noon, CenterPoint Energy personnel were on-site to assess the extent of the leak and vent gas from the sewer system and ensure evacuations on H Street, according to the report. However, the Floresville Fire Department had already evacuated the affected structures.
While excavating at the isolation point at 2 p.m., the main structure at 1605 H St. exploded. The report said the construction crew quickly continued their efforts and squeezed off the 2-inch plastic main at 2:05 p.m.
The report concluded that the contract locator not affiliated with 4C had incorrectly marked the location of the 2-inch plastic main, which 4C Unlimited had damaged in multiple locations during their excavation.
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