Particle.news

Pressure-Test Blast Injures Two Workers in Dallas Design District

The worksite event, which Atmos says involved air not natural gas, heightens safety questions because it occurred near an apartment complex that had a gas leak on Sept. 18.

Overview

  • A contractor was pressure-testing a gas line early Monday near 1200 Turtle Creek Boulevard when the line exploded and two Atmos contract workers were taken to hospital.
  • Atmos Energy said the test used air, not natural gas, and that there was no damage to the pipeline and no interruption to gas service in the area.
  • Reports conflict on the workers’ conditions with Dallas Fire-Rescue describing injuries as non-critical while other outlets cite one worker in critical condition and the other released.
  • Dallas Fire-Rescue and police responded, reported no civilian or firefighter injuries, said nearby buildings were not damaged, and noted traffic and some businesses were temporarily affected.
  • The blast comes weeks after a Sept. 18 gas leak at the same apartment complex and is likely to prompt further investigation into maintenance procedures and worker safety; officials are expected to release updates on the hospitalizations and the probe.