Philly Gas Explosion

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video of explosion

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/breaking/Dramatic_Video_of_Tacony_Explosion_Philadelphia-114181874.html

Article

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/breaking/Tacony-Explosion-114177649.html

While this wasn't your typical gas emergency, there's really no half way with these calls. 99% of the time they're nothing, but that 1% where they go south do so in a big way.

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http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/national/philadelphia-gas-explosion-ncx-20110118

I think that a lot more people think of a gas leak as a 'routine' incident, because of just such a thing you said, 99% of the time they're nothing, but we have to realize that they have the potential of a bomb.

Sad that one person lost their live, I am just glad to hear they did evacuate nearby residents. This could have been exponentially worse...

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Audio from the event:

It seems that there has been an increase in gas line explosions in the recent year. I don't know if people aren't calling 811, utility workers aren't getting trained or funded to detect these things (if possible), or the infastructure is just aging...

[PEMO3 523]

Seems like a well handled job based on how fast things went south from the video. Also never once did I hear the word "expedite" used. The use of pre-arrival assignments made it clear that the IC had a handle on the job and his approach. The statement to have the medic units stand fast with their units until called for in staging prevented freelancing in what was clearly a dangerous situation. Utilizing multiple staging areas and an aide for communications was another item that stands out as a plus in this operation. Of course this is all based on a condensed radio record and just my opinion.

[jack10562 414]

Command and dispatch did a fantastic job given the unexpected turn of events. Cool and collected. Good job!

My take on what led up to this event is the water main cracked from frost heave and a jet-like stream of water from the water main breach drilled a hole right into the gas main, causing the gas leak. The high pressure gas escaping underground apparently migrated into adjoining buildings and ignited.

The result was caught on video.

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Here's the after from the explosion

[R1SmokeEater 359]

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Edited January 24, 2011 by R1SmokeEater