Southwest Gas officials said the gas leak that caused a Chandler store to explode on Aug. 26 may have been avoided if the company had known to replace a gas pipe.
CHANDLER, Ariz. — A clerical mistake has been credited by Southwest Gas as the reason it didn't replace a faulty gas pipe that allegedly caused a fiery explosion in Chandler last month, according to an initial report from the company.
On Aug. 26, an explosion occurred inside a printing shop near Ray and Rural roads, causing the building's roof to collapse and nearby residents to evacuate their homes.
Four people were severely burned in the explosion and continue to undergo treatment for their injuries.
The incident's cause has been attributed to a gas leak and Southwest Gas claims the explosion may have been avoided if the company had known to replace a faulty pipe.
On Tuesday, the utility company released a statement outlining the preliminary results of its investigation into the fire.
"The cause of the leak and the subsequent explosion was premature degradation in a certain type of natural gas pipe (Driscopipe 8000) that was purchased by Southwest Gas between approximately 1980-1999," the company stated.
The Chandler shop installed the Driscopipe 8000 in 1999.
Though degradation in this type of pipe rarely happens, Southwest Gas discovered leaks may occur if the Driscopipe 8000 is exposed to elevated temperatures in dry climates found in areas such as Arizona.
In 2012, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials...
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