Stopper blamed
in gas blaze

An inquiry is needed to
determine other factors, a
Gas Co. spokesman says

Flames that erupted from an underground gas line in Kalihi on Friday were apparently ignited by a metal and rubber stopper, which is used to hold gas back as workers repair lines, a spokesman for the Gas Co. said yesterday.

A preliminary investigation showed that the stopper created static electricity when it was pulled out, creating a fireball that injured two workers and shut down North King Street for hours.

Gas Co. spokesman Steve Golden said more investigation is needed to determine whether the stopper is faulty, or whether other factors were involved. He said he knows of no similar incident ever occurring in the islands.

Meanwhile, one of the injured workers is expected to stay in the hospital through the weekend as a precaution, Golden said. The worker suffered burns to his back and neck, and hospital officials want to guard against the possibility of infection.

The other injured worker, a 50-year-old man, was treated and released Friday for minor burns. Both men are veteran workers at the Gas Co., Golden said.

The incident happened about 11:30 a.m. Friday, when the workers were repairing a leak from a 2-inch line that runs under Palama Street to a 4-inch line under North King Street. They plugged the 2-inch line, replaced the leaky section and had just removed the stopper when the gas ignited, according to reports.

Flames shot into the air, but were allowed to burn for more than two hours before firefighters put them out about 1:45 p.m. so workers could complete the repair. Work crews completed the repair to the gas line two hours later, and King Street was reopened at 3:45 p.m. Golden said no additional repairs to the line were needed.

Tamashiro Market and nearby apartments were left without gas for hours during the incident, though early reports indicated no customers were affected, Golden said.