Crew strikes gas line in Bethel Park, causing pipeline to erupt in flames
A construction crew working to relocate a water line in Bethel Park accidentally struck a 4-inch gas distribution line early Oct. 3, causing the pipeline to erupt in flames.
The incident happened on Clifton Road about 2 a.m. and forced the closure of nearby Route 88, which reopened a couple of hours later, Bethel Park police said. But Clifton Road remained closed for hours between Library Road and Airedale Drive while crews made repairs, police said.
Pennsylvania American Water spokesman Gary Lobaugh said Golden Triangle Contracting of Imperial was performing a water line relocation project for the company when the gas line was struck.
Lobaugh said water service was not disrupted during the incident.
The flames shot from the pipeline for about two hours before the natural gas to the area was shut off. Bethel Park volunteer firefighters monitored the situation while gas company crews could locate the valves to stop the flow of natural gas to the line.
Bethel Park Emergency Management Coordinator John Kuchma said one worker was taken to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment, although his identity or the extent of his injuries were not released. Kuchma added that there were about 10 Golden Triangle workers at the scene during the incident.
One home at Clifton Road and Timber Ridge Drive was evacuated, but there was no damage to any nearby structures. Numerous homes were without gas during the incident.
“The pavement had some issues to it from the high heat exposure,” Kuchma said. “But that part of the road was all torn up anyway, so it really didn’t cause any major damage.”
The Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating the incident, Kuchma said.