A November gas line explosion in Orion Township was reportedly caused by too much weight on top of the pipeline.
A massive gas line fire erupted in November 2017 on a piece of vacant land about 1,000-feet north of the Checkers Restaurant on the north side of Brown Road, west of Joslyn Road.
Click On Detroit reported that Consumers Energy released the following information on Monday:
“After a thorough investigation, Consumers Energy officials determined approximately 21 feet of fill material was added over top of the pipeline by a third party. The weight of the fill stressed the pipeline and caused it to sag due to the compressibility of the supporting organic soil layer (a swampy area) which caused a break and rupture in the pipeline on November 20, 2017 in Orion Township, Michigan. No injuries occurred. This type of pipeline break is extremely rare. Consumers Energy is taking immediate action to help ensure it does not happen again including: enhancing inspection patrols of all gas transmission lines; revising our construction standards to evaluate soil compressibility; and implementing comprehensive remediation plans that meet or exceed state and federal requirements. Consumers Energy remains committed to safely providing reliable and affordable natural gas to our customers.”
Residents reported seeing 150-foot tall flames several miles away from the explosion. The 18-foot-deep crater left behind from the blast exposed about 30 feet of the 22-inch gas line.
No injuries were reported from the incident.
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