Gas Company Criticized For Denying Role In Deadly Blast: Navarro

SILVER SPRING, MD — One day after federal investigators faulted a local gas company for problems that led to a deadly Silver Spring apartment explosion, the Montgomery County council president called on the utility to implement safety recommendations and criticized it for denying responsibility for the tragedy.

In their findings presented Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that Washington Gas' faulty equipment most likely caused the blast at Flower Branch Apartments, resulting in the death of seven people in 2016. More specifically, an unconnected vent line and a failed indoor mercury service regulator let natural gas build up in the meter room until it ignited.

"Community members are still living with the horrific memories of the explosion that devastated the lives of so many families at the Flower Branch Apartments in 2016," said Council President Nancy Navarro. "I distinctly remember visiting with community members whose lives were turned upside down in an instant. Most lost everything, and many barely escaped the fire."

Had the mercury service regulators been located outside the complex — since technicians aren't required to verify the connection of these vents indoors — the explosion could have been prevented, according to the NTSB.

"The NTSB's investigation highlighted serious flaws in the inspection of service regulators," said NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt. "This tragic event could have been avoided if the necessary checks were done to ensure the safety of the building's occupants."

Washington Gas — the company responsible for maintaining the equipment for the apartment complex — has disputed the findings, according to the Associated Press.

Following the investigation, the NTSB issued a total of 13 safety recommendations to different agencies. Five of them were issued to Washington Gas.

They are:

1. Throughout the Washington Gas network, implement an audit program to verify the data on the service forms used to determine the location and condition of mercury service regulators to ensure the accuracy of this safety-critical data.
2. Revise your procedures and field forms to require technicians to verify the integrity of vent lines following the testing of indoor service regulators throughout the Washington Gas network.
3. Establish a time frame with specific dates and milestones for the replacement of mercury service regulators throughout the Washington Gas network that recognizes the need to expedite this program and that prioritizes multifamily dwellings where mercury service regulators are located inside the property.
4. Install all new service regulators outside occupied structures.
5. Relocate existing interior service regulators outside occupied structures whenever the gas service line, meter, or regulator is replaced. In addition, multifamily structures should be prioritized over single-family dwellings.

In a statement released Wednesday, Navarro called on the utility to quickly implement safety measures made by the NTSB. She also railed against the company for denying it had a role in the deadly accident.

"Safety is a paramount responsibility for utility companies serving the residents of Montgomery County. Instead of denying responsibility for the explosion, Washington Gas needs to move quickly to implement the recommendations made by the NTSB including auditing service data and increasing inspections in multi-family housing units that rely on natural gas," Navarro said.

"While these changes won't bring those back who tragically lost their lives and their homes as a result of the explosion, these measures may help prevent a catastrophe like this in the future. As President of the County Council I will be working with my colleagues on the Council to provide oversight in order to ensure that tragedies like this are averted."

SEE ALSO:

• Maryland Apartment Explosion: 7th Body Found; Cause Could Be Known By End of Week
• Vigil To Mark 1-Year Anniversary Of Flower Branch Apartments Explosion
• Judge Slams NTSB For Slow Probe Into Deadly Apartment Explosions
• NTSB Sets Hearing On Cause Of 2016 Deadly Apartment Explosions
• NTSB Blames Faulty Equipment For 2016 Deadly Apartment Explosion