PECO claims it was not responsible for a gas line rupture that destroyed a 200-year-old stone house in New Hope.
By: Linda Seida
NEW HOPE Despite claims by PECO that the utility was not at fault in a Feb. 7 natural gas explosion that razed a house and left five people homeless, other officials involved in the case said it could be some time before investigators determine who actually is to blame.
"It could take quite a while," said Frank Cosner Sr., chief fire safety officer of the New Hope Eagle Fire Company, one of the dozen fire companies that responded to the emergency.
Several separate investigations are under way, including ones by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal.
Mr. Cosner said he’d be "surprised" if several lawsuits did not develop. PECO did not return a phone call before The Beacon’s deadline Tuesday.
"When it comes to the technical stuff, I don’t think you’ll get anybody to say anything because of the pending litigation," Mayor Laurence Keller said.
The explosion and ensuing fire occurred at 52 W. Ferry St. while crews worked on the installation of a $6 million public water project.
Preliminary reports indicated the crew hit a high-pressure gas line outside the residence. Gas then built up inside the house.
After the blast, borough officials halted all work on the project until a safety plan is formulated and an independent, expert evaluation of safety procedures has been performed.
It could be as long as a month before the project resumes, according to Benjamin Jones, chief executive officer of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.
The holdup, according to Mr. Jones, is safety.
"Quite frankly, it’s the safety I’m most concerned with. I’m not going to rush that," he said.
Although Mr. Jones said he believes the installation of public water should still be a priority in the borough for several reasons, including issues of public health, the authority will wait until it meets with PECO and Gilmore and Associates of New Britain, Pa., the firm hired to oversee the project, to ensure all are "absolutely confident" in the safety procedures that will be laid out and until the authority receives assurances from PECO.
"We want assurances as far as safety procedures," Mr. Jones said.
A date for the authority’s meeting with PECO and Gilmore and Associates has not been scheduled yet. Mr. Jones said he hopes to have it scheduled within the next week.
The night after the blast and fire, PECO senior engineer Robert Hopson placed the blame for the explosion on the contractor, Joao and Bradley Construction of Bethlehem, Pa. He made the allegation during a regular meeting of the Borough Council.
Steven Hudak, vice president of the Joao and Bradley, declined to speak publicly about the case at the council meeting. He said the company is represented by counsel, and its insurance company is handling the claim.
Mr. Hopson said PECO employees had marked the location of underground gas lines correctly. He also said the lines were buried at the correct depth, and the contractor should not have used excavating equipment within 18 inches of either side of the gas line.
"That fellow sure did seem to be sure of things," Mr. Cosner said of the PECO engineer’s assertions.
However, Mr. Cosner added, "Everybody was doing some pretty good squirming."
According to Mr. Hopson, Joao and Bradley followed correct procedure by contacting the Pennsylvania One-Call System, which is responsible for tracking the locations of underground utility lines. Mr. Hopson said the system then contacted PECO, whose employees went to the site and marked the correct location of the gas line with yellow fluorescent paint.
One resident told officials a PECO employee tried to mark lines by painting in the snow. Furthermore, she said, the location where he wanted to mark the lines was far from the actual location of the gas line.
While answers wait concerning who is responsible, residents of the town are drawing together to help the survivors who have lost everything.
Among the five who were left homeless are Billy and Maura McNamara, who lived in one of the house’s apartments. A benefit for the couple will be held Feb. 22 at John & Peter’s. Silent and Chinese auctions will be held, and Mayor Keller will act as auctioneer.
Doors open at 7 p.m. The auction begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include light fare and admission to the auction. Reservations may be made by calling John & Peter’s at (215) 862-3396.
Donations are being accepted. Checks should be made out to John & Peter’s with the memo note "McNamara benefit." They may be sent to John & Peter’s, 96 S. Main St., New Hope.
Cash contributions also may be dropped off at John & Peter’s.