US town has gas problem

[JohnD]

"State police tweeted that they have responded to 70 instances of fires, explosions or gas odours across Lawrence and Andover.

In Andover, officials reported 18 "gas-related fires" burning simultaneously at peak. In all, firefighters put out 35 fires in the area.

Neighbouring Police Chief Joseph Solomon, who came in to assist from the town of Methuen, said there were so many fires burning that "you can't even see the sky", according to the Lowell Sun."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45517406




It is thought the pressure is wrong.

 

[bernardgreen]

From May 2016 this shows the relatively poor state of gas safety in the USA

https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachus...s-continue-throughout-western-mass/1156746306

22News dug into what's really going on here and found each gas leak on this list is graded according to state regulations:

• Grade 1: Is hazardous and is required to be repaired immediately.
• Grade 2: Is listed as "non-hazardous" but could potentially become a hazard. Grade 2 leaks must be fixed within one year
• Grade 3: Leaks are labeled non-hazardous and are not expected to become a hazard, but are supposed to be re-evaluated at least once a year for as long as that leak lasts.

There aren't any Grade 1 leaks ongoing. (May 2016 )

 

[RayCaister]

The U.S.A. is not alone ... http://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-and-villages/royston/great-gas-crisis

 

[bernardgreen]

The incident that made me aware of the dangers of old gas mains was a leak in ancient gas main in Essex....( this at Takely was not caused by human error like Royston and the USA incidents were )

https://tlhs.org.uk/takeley_telephone_exchange_explo.htm