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The National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that a natural gas leak was the source of an explosion that killed one and injured five in Rancho Cordova on December 24th. NTSB’s Karl Gunther, a pipeline accident investigator, said the next step will be to determine where the underground pipeline broke. Pacific Gas & Electric had repaired the pipeline about a year and a half ago. It is still under investigation whether the repairs had anything to do with the most current leak.
Federal investigators pressurized 150 feet of the main gas pipeline that runs under Pauite Way, the street where the explosion occurred. A segment of the pipe that was tested for leaks goes under the driveway of the home owned by Wilbert “Bill” Paana that was destroyed. The blast killed Paana, 72, and left his daughter, Kim Dickson, 44, and granddaughter, Sunny Dickson, 17, hospitalized. Kim Dickson remains in critical condition while Sunny Dickson is in good condition.
The two homes on either side of Paana’s home were damaged. NTSB will continue to test more of the pipeline this week. Officials have moved some residents of the Pauite Way neighborhood into motels until safety issues are addressed and the residents feel it is safe to move back into their homes.
The city of Rancho Cordova has scheduled a community meeting for Tuesday, Dec. 30, to update neighbors on what the City is doing and to give the most current information about the investigation. The meeting will be held at 6.30 p.m. at Rancho Cordova City Hall located at 2729 Prospect Park Drive.
