Corroded Gas Piplelines Can Cause Explosions

Natural gas represents 31% of the total primary energy consumption for the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Despite its necessity for heating buildings and generating electricity, natural gas pipelines are susceptible to corrosion, which may result in serious accidents. For this reason, it is vital for natural gas providers to do all that they can to fight rust and decay on their pipelines to avoid property damage, severe injury, or worse.

Pipeline corrosion problems
When properly maintained and monitored, pipelines perform a vital role in transporting natural gas across the country for energy providers. As these pipelines are buried, the general public is typically not aware of their presence, until situations similar to the recent North Texas Gas Explosions that have taken place.

• Plano
• Farmersville
• Houston
• Dallas

In many cases, corrosion is responsible for leakages and accidents for natural gas pipelines. One of the major contributing factors to external corrosion of underground pipelines is inadequate coating. Internal corrosion may occur when water and contaminants in the gas erode the pipe wall.

The first step toward eliminating further explosions is to be proactive about corrosion testing and pipeline maintenance. Fighting corrosion before it becomes a serious problem is key to reducing the risk of tragic gas explosions from recurring.

Smell Gas? Call TEXAS811

There have been nine homes that have exploded in the Dallas area since 2006. In 2019 The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report that found Atmos was aware of leaks in Dallas neighborhoods for nearly two months prior to a series of explosions. NTSB investigators found a crack around a two-inch line behind the homes. The pipe failed pressure tests. Over the course of three days, Atmos Energy’s corroded, leaking natural gas pipes caused three homes to explode.

In several natural gas explosions, victims have stated that they did not smell the natural gas. Experts call the phenomenon "Odor Fade". Natural gas has no smell when it comes out of the ground. Companies like Atmos add a chemical to the gas giving it a smell like rotten eggs. But studies have found that, over time, as leaking natural gas travels through the soil, the smell can fade.

Having your gas pipelines inspected regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid natural gas leaks and explosions.

Plano, Texas on July 19, 2021: A neighbor stated that Atmos was working in the neighborhood before the explosion happened. Another neighbor showed WFAA News Team an Atmos customer notice that was left at their home on Monday before the explosion.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client.

Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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Preventing natural gas explosions

There are about 286 serious natural gas explosions per year. These are the type of gas explosions that cause property damage, severe injury, or loss of life. Between 1998 and 2017, 15 people per year on average died in incidents related to gas distribution. These gas explosions have left many people wondering if natural gas is safe. Is there anything they can do to help prevent a future occurrence?

Take Preventative Measures
Annual inspection and leak survey
Having your gas pipelines inspected regularly is one of the best preventative measures you can take to avoid natural gas leaks and explosions. Natural gas inspection services consist of an odor test, proper valve operation, above and below ground piping inspection, leak surveying, gas system mapping, and line locating. An annual leak survey is recommended for all properties that have a Master Meter Gas system.

Know what to do if you smell gas
There are four signs that could indicate you might have a small natural gas leak, and it’s time to repair your gas piping:

• A strong smell of gas inside your home or building (an unmistakable sulfur-like smell, often described as a “rotten egg” smell)
• Dead plants in the area of a gas line
• Hissing sound
• White cloud or dust cloud near a gas line

Follow these steps, if you suspect a gas leak:
Recognize when it’s time to repair or replace a gas line
Due to the natural erosion process, some natural gas pipes eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Being proactive—testing, maintaining, and repairing your gas piping—is essential for preventing any long-term damage to your valuable assets and livelihood.

Be aware of where natural gas lines are on your property
It’s important to have a full understanding of all the sources of natural gas on your property for two key reasons:

• If an unknown natural gas line leaks outside or inside a wall and you are not aware that the line exists, it can be very dangerous and potentially deadly
• You could end up paying a large sum of money, not only for the leaked gas over time, but also to repair the leak

Call before you dig
Contact Texas 811 to mark any underground gas lines. It is a free service that must be completed before any type of digging begins. Utility companies and local governments only mark what they own and operate.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client.

Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

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What Causes Gas Explosions?

We have seen an increasingly amount of gas explosions in the news, whether it be at a private residence or place of business. Often times the structure is left in ruins. Too often human lives are lost. Some explosions affect large surrounding areas – not just the home where the explosion originated. Recently, a house explosion in Texas leveled a house, killing an occupant, and shook homes miles away. The cause of the explosion is suspected to be the result of a gas leak that somehow ignited.

What causes gas explosions?

Most people use natural gas or propane every day in our homes or workplace. Natural Gas heats our water and our spaces, and provides the fuel for our cooking appliances. Regardless of how often we use gas, it’s important to remember that it is highly combustible and can be very dangerous.

A gas explosion occurs when there is a gas leak in the presence of a spark or flame. Gases such as natural gas, methane, propane and butane are the most common types of gases to cause explosions because they are commonly used for heating purposes. Some gas explosions are minor, with the increase in pressure not generating enough force to damage anything, while other gas explosions can cause injury, damage to property, even death.

Some common causes include:

• Old, rusty gas lines or ones that are damaged that run from the street into your home
• Defective gas-operated equipment
• Improper use of gas furnaces, stoves or other gas appliances
• Gas appliances that have been poorly or incorrectly installed

Your best course of prevention is to know and trust your home is safe by having your systems checked regularly by a professional. Older homes with older HVAC systems tend to have a greater incidence of gas leaks. If you suspect any of your systems have been damaged somehow, be sure to have them inspected.

Also, be familiar with the ‘rotten egg’ smell of Carbon Monoxide. The nasty smell is added to the otherwise odorless gas to alarm people when gas is present in the home or workplace. If you smell gas, or if you think you smell gas, leave the premises and contact emergency authorities as soon as possible.

Although the likelihood of a gas explosion is pretty rare, it’s very important to first, make sure your home is as safe as it can be, and then, be aware of any warning signs and act quickly if you suspect there is a problem.

Smell Gas? Call TEXAS811

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Dallas man injured in 2011 home gas explosion:
When Domingo Mendez's converted garage apartment in South Oak Cliff exploded in 2011, all of his thoughts turned to getting his then 5-year-old son out of the collapsed structure.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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Possible gas explosion leaves six injured

Initial report by David Sentendrey and FOX 4 News staff

Plano, Texas — At least six people were hospitalized after a reported explosion at a Plano home on Monday afternoon. It's still unclear what caused the explosion and Atmos and Plano Fire investigators were at the scene into Monday night. The incident happened just after 4:30 p.m. in the 4400 block of Cleveland Drive, located off Park Boulevard in between Ohio Drive and Coit Road. Plano Fire officials said three adults and three children had to be transported from the scene. Their conditions were not known. One person was inside the home. The other five were in a home next door.

The force of the explosion essentially flattened the home and caused significant damage to nearby homes. Neighbors say it happened during a storm. They saw a flash and heard a loud-shaking boom. The impact of the explosion felt by people living a mile away. Many walking to the scene were in disbelief. It’s unclear what caused the explosion. It happened as a thunderstorm moved through the neighborhood.

"I just happened to be looking out my window right as it happened and it was a big flash of bright light," said Taylor Reddick, who lives nearby. "It had been lightning a lot already, and I just saw a huge black smoke go up and debris go flying in the air. It all happened very fast."

Plano Fire says only one person was inside the home when it exploded. Most of the injured lived nearby.

Tony Clark says he saw children leaving the neighboring home to get into an ambulance on their own. "Yeah, I didn’t see any wounds or anything on them. They walked just fine," he said. Investigators from the Plano Fire Department, Atmos, Oncor, and the Plano Police Bomb Squad all came out to the scene. Power and gas were cut off to the block. The Plano Fire Department says it’s standard protocol. Neighbors, however, can only imagine what it was like for the one person inside the home at the center of the explosion.

Miller Weisbrod's Gas Explosion Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Lewisville gas explosion compared to 2008 fatal blast from Miller Weisbrod.

If you have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion accident, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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2 tragically killed in natural gas line explosion in Farmersville, Texas

Farmersville, Texas — Two people were killed and three injured in a natural gas pipeline explosion.

The deadly blast happened around 4 p.m. Monday at an Atmos Energy facility in Collin County near Farmersville, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of Dallas. The explosion appeared to be an accident but the FBI will assist in the investigation.

Those involved in the explosion were contractors for Atmos Energy. The contractors were employees of Bobcat Contracting and Fesco Petroleum Engineering. Two of the injured were taken to a hospital.

The workers were servicing a gas line when the explosion happened. The Princeton and Farmersville fire departments, Collin County EMS and multiple other local law enforcement agencies responded to the blast.

“Our prayers are with those who were affected by the events in Farmersville, Texas, today,” Atmos Energy said in statement. “Out of respect for their privacy, we are not releasing any names or additional details at this stage,” the statement added.

Partner, Clay Miller, of Miller Weisbrod Attorneys At Law, states that, “It appears Atmos and it’s contractors may have once again failed to timely and safely react to a pipeline strike during underground work. If the early information is correct, this explosion and the resulting deaths were an avoidable tragedy“

Miller Weisbrod Attorneys have successfully prosecuted multiple cases against Atmos arising from explosions due to aging pipes, broken pipes and inadequate policies relating to replacement of natural gas pipe components, and failing to warn and evacuate nearby residents. Attorney, Clay Miller obtained a $12,500,000 settlement in a gas explosion resulting in serious burn injuries to our client. Lewisville gas explosion compared to 2008 fatal blast from Miller Weisbrod.

If you have suffered an injury in a natural gas explosion accident, please contact us at 214.987.0005 or toll free at 888.987.0005 for a free consultation.

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