Gas line erupts in flames after contractor punctures pipe

Sept. 17, 2006

By MARY AMES

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Tuesday afternoon, a contractor digging in a right of way near the junction of the Palmer- and Wasilla-Fishhook roads got an unpleasant surprise when he punctured a gas line.

The man on a backhoe most likely cut a quarter-sized hole in Enstar's 6-inch pipeline, said Curtis Thayer, spokesman for the gas company.

&#8220He must have struck a rock when he pulled the blade back,” Thayer said. &#8220The spark ignited the gas and caused about a 20-foot flame.”

There were no injuries to the backhoe or operator, Thayer said, but the whole incident -and the cost for repairs - could have been avoided.

Enstar posts signs, sends notices out with bills, notifies equipment-rental companies, and informs people as often as possible to call and find out where the gas lines are before they dig.

People should expect utilities' distribution lines to be located in rights of way, Thayer said.

&#8220That's the purpose of a right of way,” he said. &#8220But people planting trees or putting in fence posts need to know where the service lines are.”

Service lines run from the distribution line to the gas meter on the house.

Water and sewer lines generally are buried 10 feet deep, to keep them below the freezing level, but gas lines are a shallow utility, lying about 3 to 4 feet below the surface, he said.

All utilities subscribe to a service called Alaska Dig Line, which will locate utility lines for people and mark the ground above them. People who call Alaska Dig Line at (800) 478-3121 will have distribution and service lines located and marked before they can do any damage.

Not calling can be a spendy proposition.

&#8220The person who caused the damage is responsible for the repair,” Thayer said.

The call about the flaming pipeline came in to Enstar early in the afternoon, Thayer said. It took Enstar about an hour to get people out to the flaming pipe near Doro Drive and dig up the line, he said. Workers had to pinch off both ends of the plastic pipe before they could replace it. Two customers were without gas during the repair. By about 4 or 5 p.m., the line was repaired and reburied, and the affected customers had their service restored. In calculating damages, Enstar also will estimate the cost of the gas that escaped, he said.

&#8220I don't have the exact cost yet, but I expect it to be $3,000 to $4,000,” Thayer said. &#8220The thing is, it's only fair. Why should the rate payers pay for damage they didn't cause?”

Contact Mary Ames at 352-2284 or mary.ames@frontiersman.com.