HARRISBURG — Safety engineers from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Pipeline Safety Division are investigating the explosion and fire that destroyed a home in Harrisburg on Friday, according to a news release.
The investigation is to determine whether natural gas service was involved in the incident and whether there were any violations of state or federal pipeline safety regulations, the news release stated.
Four people were displaced from the Sycamore Street residence Friday afternoon.
UGI released this statement:
UGI can confirm that one of the Company’s employees visited the home at 1625 Sycamore Street in Harrisburg on Friday, April 5, prior to the time that a fire in that home took place.
The employee was at the home to perform a routine inspection which involves a visual inspection and leak check of the dwelling’s inside natural gas meter and associated piping leading to the meter. A flashlight and a natural gas detection device are the only tools used in the inspection. These inspections are conducted on a regular basis.
A letter regarding this inspection was sent to the home owner in advance of the employee’s visit. The employee was allowed into the home by one of the residents. The employee completed the inspection and informed a resident that the Company’s equipment passed the inspection, and then exited the property. UGI is continuing to cooperate with fire and regulatory authorities in support of the ongoing investigation.
