Expert Witness Blog
Explosions expert witnesses may consult on flammable materials, fire & explosion analysis, and natural gas explosions, as well as related matters. Investigators have reported that the cause of an explosion last week in Stafford Township, NJ, was a crack in a gas line. Firefighters, paramedics, and New Jersey Gas employees were injured. The shock wave from the explosion flattened one home and damaged a score more.
Commonly used for heating, natural gas, methane, propane and butane make up the majority of residential gas explosions. After a 127 year old gas main exploded in East Harlem, NY, in 2014, Natural Gas Watch.org wrote that natural gas explosions seem to be occurring with disturbing regularity in the US.
There are more than 5,000 miles of natural gas pipeline beneath the streets, homes and buildings of New York City and according to public records, a significant portion of that underground pipeline is made of aging cast iron that’s prone to leak. Indeed, hundreds of miles of this pipeline are at least 100 years old and some of it even dates back to 1889.
Natural Gas Watch.org reported in 2014:
Legislation cleared the House Wednesday that outlines a process under which utilities would be held accountable for repairing thousands of underground natural gas leaks, with supporters saying the bill could save lives by preventing explosions. Proponents of the bill, long pushed by Marblehead Rep. Lori Ehrlich, said $40 million is wasted each year due to natural gas leaks. Prior to the bill’s passage, Ehrlich ticked of a series of home explosions caused by natural gas leaks, citing growing risks. “These leaks can only get worse,” she said.