YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – In an unfortunate incident that led to a deadly explosion, workers inadvertently cut a pressurized gas line while working in the basement of an Ohio building this week. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed the details on Friday, shedding light on the tragic accident.
According to NTSB board member Tom Chapman, workers were in the basement area to clear out old piping and other outdated infrastructure when they made a grave mistake. They did not detect any gas odor before cutting into the pipe, which was later discovered to be pressurized. The issue became apparent only after the third cut was made on the gas line.
Upon realizing there was a problem, workers promptly pulled the fire alarm and alerted the building’s residents as well as bank employees to evacuate immediately. Despite their efforts, however, the explosion occurred just six minutes after the gas line was cut. Investigators are now working to determine why the pipe was pressurized in the first place.
The devastating explosion that took place on Tuesday afternoon resulted in significant damage to much of the ground floor of Realty Tower. One bank employee lost their life, while several others sustained injuries. The force of the blast caused part of the ground floor to collapse into its basement and sent the building’s façade flying across the street, creating a dangerous debris field outside the 13-story structure that housed a Chase Bank branch at street level and apartments in upper floors.
The tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions and proper protocols when working with potentially hazardous materials such as pressurized gas lines. As investigators continue to delve into the circumstances surrounding this catastrophic incident, it is hoped that measures can be taken to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
