Columbia Gas Mislabeled Gas Line In St. Augustine School Accident

ANDOVER, MA — The recent gas leak by St. Augustine School was caused by Columbia Gas, not Revoli Construction, the water contractor that struck the line, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan told the Select Board, Monday.

"Columbia Gas mistakenly marked an inactive gas line and did not mark the active line," Flanagan said. "Revoli followed safety protocols around the inactive line because that was what was believed to be active."

Revoli was installing a hydrant branch on Chestnut Street when it struck the line around 10:53 a.m. on Sept. 15. The nearby school and surrounding properties were evacuated by public safety personnel ahead of Columbia Gas shutting off gas service.

The Department of Public Utilities is examining the incident and will decide whether to open an investigation, Flanagan said.

Flanagan said town safety protocols were followed by that there should have been better coordination and communication with St. Augustine.

This incident comes almost exactly two years after an error by the gas company set off more than 130 explosions in Andover, North Andover in Lawrence that killed one and forced thousands of people to leave their homes for months.

A federal case Columbia Gas' parent company, NiSource, to sell the company and leave Massachusetts.

Members of the board worried that the town will keep seeing the same personnel, and mistakes, even when Eversource, the new owner, takes over. Flanagan said Eversource would be invited to meet with the Board once it takes over.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.