Youngstown, Ohio – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released its preliminary report on the cause of a deadly blast that occurred inside a downtown building in Youngstown three weeks ago. According to the NTSB, the explosion at the Realty Tower building on May 28 was triggered by a gas pipeline being accidentally cut by a four-person scrap-removal crew who were unaware that the line was pressurized.
The crew member involved in the incident used a saw to cut a pipe he believed was not carrying gas, but upon hearing a hissing sound and feeling gas blowing into his face, they quickly exited the basement and called 9-1-1 to report the leak. Subsequently, an explosion occurred at 2:44 pm, resulting in the tragic death of a Chase Bank employee and injuries to nine others.
Surveillance footage from inside the building captured the chaotic moments leading up to the explosion as residents hurriedly evacuated the area. The blast caused significant structural damage to the Realty Tower, prompting concerns of imminent collapse by a structural engineer.
Enbridge Gas Ohio, the provider of natural gas to the building, conducted pressure tests after the explosion, revealing a failure to hold pressure in the pipeline and a hissing sound from the cut made by the crew. The NTSB highlighted that the inactive service line had been pressurized with natural gas prior to the accident.
Moving forward, the NTSB’s investigation will focus on various aspects including the pipeline operator’s procedures, ownership of the inactive service line, companies associated with the building, and operational practices of GreenHeart, the contractor overseeing the work crew. The final report is not expected for another 12 to 24 months, with the NTSB leading the investigation due to pipelines being classified as a mode of transportation.
For the latest updates on this ongoing investigation, visit the NTSB’s official website. Download the WKYC app for timely local and national news, as well as sports updates.