caused by crew cutting gas line they thought was off, NTSB says

A bank employee was killed and several people were injured in the explosion Tuesday in Youngstown

In Youngstown, Ohio, tragic events unfolded as a crew, unaware of its pressurization, deliberately severed a gas line during maintenance work in a building’s basement. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) disclosed this information on Friday, attributing the explosion to this inadvertent action.

According to NTSB board member Tom Chapman, the crew was engaged in clearing out obsolete infrastructure when they encountered the pressurized gas line. Despite lacking any prior indication of gas presence, they proceeded with the cutting operation, only realizing the perilous situation after the third incision.

Following this realization, prompt action was taken, with the activation of the fire alarm and the evacuation of residents and bank personnel. However, the explosion occurred a mere six minutes after the fateful cut, resulting in devastating consequences. The investigation now aims to ascertain the reasons behind the pressurization of the gas line, shedding light on the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.

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