A tragic explosion in Lexington, Missouri, has left one person dead and two others injured. The blast occurred on April 9 when a subcontractor accidentally drilled into an unmarked underground gas line while installing fiber optic cable. This incident completely destroyed one home and caused damage to two others in the small town, which has a population of about 4,500 and is located roughly 55 miles east of Kansas City.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Liberty Utilities, the company responsible for gas lines in the area, had sent a crew to mark its lines before the subcontractor began digging. However, the section of the gas main that was struck was not identified in their markings. A few hours before the explosion, the subcontractor reported hitting something with their drill and smelling natural gas, prompting the crew supervisor to call 911.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and a team from Liberty Utilities, arrived on the scene to stop the flow of gas. While they evacuated a nearby business located about 15 feet from the leak, several other nearby homes, including the one that was destroyed, were not evacuated. These homes were situated between 80 and 160 feet from the leak site.
The NTSB is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the evacuation procedures and the past repair history of Liberty Utilities. The company has stated that federal regulations limit what they can share about the incident but expressed their commitment to assist those affected by this unfortunate event.
This explosion has raised serious questions about safety protocols and emergency responses in situations involving gas lines. As the investigation continues, the community is left to mourn the loss and support those impacted by this devastating explosion.