Anadarko Petroleum | Fatal Colorado gas explosion certain to renew tensions !
- 7 years ago
The deadly home explosion in Firestone last month was caused by gas that entered the home through a cut, abandoned flow line from a well, investigators said Tuesday.
The explosion and fire happened about 4:45 p.m. on April 17 in the 6300 block of Twilight Avenue,FIRESTONE, Colo.
"Investigators have reached the conclusion that the origin and cause of the explosion and subsequent fire that destroyed the Martinez home and damaged the neighboring home resulting in the deaths of Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin and the severe injury to Erin Martinez was unrefined, non-odorized gas that entered the home through a French Drain and Sump Pit due to a cut, abandoned gas flow line attached to an oil and gas well in the vicinity that, while abandoned, had not been disconnected from the wellhead and capped," firefighters said in a statement.
"Officials have also determined that the flow line was controlled with the shut in, or ceasing of production of the well as a precaution taken on April 17 as part of initial response measures, and that no additional contamination or danger exists to neighboring homes."
The uncapped, abandoned line was about 5 feet from the foundation of the home, investigators said.
It's not known who is responsible for the broke line, but neighbors are concerned about what's beneath their own homes.
The Oak Meadows HOA called an emergency meeting Tuesday night. Board members met with members of Anadarko Petroleum, which owned a well less than 200 feet from the Martinez family's home.
On Tuesday, Gov. John Hickenlooper called for a statewide review of existing oil and gas operations.
A red-orange fireball that killed two people and destroyed a Colorado home prompted the governor to order sweeping inspections of natural gas lines and is certain to worsen tensions in state already divided over how to regulate the industry.
Fire investigators said Tuesday the April 17 explosion was caused by a leak in an old gas line that was believed to be out of service but was connect to a producing gas well — for reasons they still do not know.
The line had been cut about 10 feet (3 meters) from the home of Mark and Erin Martinez in Firestone, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Denver, officials said.
Mark Martinez was killed, and so was his brother-in-law, Joseph William Irwin III — Erin Martinez's brother. Erin Martinez was badly burned, and the Martinezes' young son was also hurt.
The pipeline that leaked was a 1-inch (2.5-cm) flow line. Flow lines carry gas from a well to a storage tank or other collection point.
After the Frederick-Firestone fire department announced the results of its investigation, Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat and a geologist who once worked in the petroleum industry, quickly ordered inspections of all similar gas lines within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of occupied buildings.
Hickenlooper said the state will require energy companies to perform pressure tests, where the lines are sealed and pressurized so any leaks will register as a drop in pressure.
"Public safety is paramount," Hickenlooper said.
The explosion and fire happened about 4:45 p.m. on April 17 in the 6300 block of Twilight Avenue,FIRESTONE, Colo.
"Investigators have reached the conclusion that the origin and cause of the explosion and subsequent fire that destroyed the Martinez home and damaged the neighboring home resulting in the deaths of Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin and the severe injury to Erin Martinez was unrefined, non-odorized gas that entered the home through a French Drain and Sump Pit due to a cut, abandoned gas flow line attached to an oil and gas well in the vicinity that, while abandoned, had not been disconnected from the wellhead and capped," firefighters said in a statement.
"Officials have also determined that the flow line was controlled with the shut in, or ceasing of production of the well as a precaution taken on April 17 as part of initial response measures, and that no additional contamination or danger exists to neighboring homes."
The uncapped, abandoned line was about 5 feet from the foundation of the home, investigators said.
It's not known who is responsible for the broke line, but neighbors are concerned about what's beneath their own homes.
The Oak Meadows HOA called an emergency meeting Tuesday night. Board members met with members of Anadarko Petroleum, which owned a well less than 200 feet from the Martinez family's home.
On Tuesday, Gov. John Hickenlooper called for a statewide review of existing oil and gas operations.
A red-orange fireball that killed two people and destroyed a Colorado home prompted the governor to order sweeping inspections of natural gas lines and is certain to worsen tensions in state already divided over how to regulate the industry.
Fire investigators said Tuesday the April 17 explosion was caused by a leak in an old gas line that was believed to be out of service but was connect to a producing gas well — for reasons they still do not know.
The line had been cut about 10 feet (3 meters) from the home of Mark and Erin Martinez in Firestone, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Denver, officials said.
Mark Martinez was killed, and so was his brother-in-law, Joseph William Irwin III — Erin Martinez's brother. Erin Martinez was badly burned, and the Martinezes' young son was also hurt.
The pipeline that leaked was a 1-inch (2.5-cm) flow line. Flow lines carry gas from a well to a storage tank or other collection point.
After the Frederick-Firestone fire department announced the results of its investigation, Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat and a geologist who once worked in the petroleum industry, quickly ordered inspections of all similar gas lines within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of occupied buildings.
Hickenlooper said the state will require energy companies to perform pressure tests, where the lines are sealed and pressurized so any leaks will register as a drop in pressure.
"Public safety is paramount," Hickenlooper said.