NTSB Safety Recommendation P-74-048

NTSB safety recommendation P-74-048.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY: CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE TO DISSIPATE THE RESIDUAL GAS REMAINING IN THE GROUND.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1974-10-24

Adopted Date: 1974-10-24

Overall Date Closed: 1976-09-10

Synopsis: ON JUNE 23, 1973, A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS, FOLLOWED BY FIRE, OCCURRED AT 12321 WELLING LANE IN BOWIE, MARYLAND. THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE WERE KILLED, AND A FOURTH WAS INJURED; THE HOUSE WAS BADLY DAMAGED. HOUSES IN A FIVE-BLOCK AREA WERE EVACUATED.

Ntsbnumber: PLD73XR006

Report Number: PAR-74-05

Addressee Name: Washington Gas

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1976-09-10

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1975-01-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY LTR: THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. THE NUMBER OF VENT HOLES WERE INCREASED IN THE RESIDUAL GAS AREA TO PERMIT THE TRAPPED GAS TO ESCAPE. ALSO A NUMBER OF HIGH-SUCTION-TYPE BLOWERS WERE INSTALLED OVER A NUMBER OF VENT HOLES TO ACCELERATE THE REMOVAL OF THE RESIDUAL GAS.