Investigaton Concludes On Gas Line Explosion

The State Fire Marshall’s Office says it has concluded its on-scene investigation of the natural gas pipeline explosion in Morgan County near Glouster. Public Information Officer Shane Cartmill says investigators found no evidence of criminal intent. He says it appears the explosion was the result of the ignition of natural gas following a physical failure on the pipeline. Cartmill says the investigators cannot determine the exact cause of ignition, but believe a spark from debris, static electricity or nearby power transformers likely ignited the natural gas. He says five nearby structures caught on fire from radiant heat, not from the initial explosion. Two occupied homes, one unoccupied home and one barn were destroyed by fire. A second barn sustained fire damaged by was quickly extinguished by firefighters. Cartmill says two people sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from the hospital. The incident will now be handed over the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.