NTSB Blames Columbia Gas

摘要

The explosions that killed one person and damaged more than 130 buildings in Massachusetts’Merrimack Valley in September 2018 were preventable,and Columbia Gas is solely to blame,the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB)concluded last week(NGW Oct.1'18).A preUminary NTSB report said the explosions were caused by an overpressurization of a main gas line by a third-party contractor.This led to connections in homes and businesses popping loose and allowing gas to accumulate which exploded in Andover,North Andover and Lawrence.NTSB official Robert Hall last week said Columbia Gas’slow response coupled with faulty radio transmissions exacerbated the problems.