'Human error' to blame for Massachusetts strip club gas blast

Utilities worker thought to be responsible for puncturing pipe before explosion that flattened a Springfield strip club, injuring 18
gas blast Springfield
A firetruck is parked next to a damaged building after a nearby gas explosion leveled a strip club in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts Photograph: David Molnar/AP

A utility worker responding to reports of a natural gas leak in one of New England's largest cities punctured a pipe before an unknown spark ignited a massive explosion that injured 18 people, the state fire marshal said on Sunday.

The natural gas blast, which happened in Springfield on Friday night, was caused by "human error", state fire marshal Stephen Coan said. Coan did not name the Columbia Gas Go worker who pierced the high-pressure pipe.

The blast flattened a strip club, caused serious damage to a daycare center and scattered debris over several blocks. Some officials said it was a miracle that no one was killed. The cause of the spark that ignited the explosion is still unknown.

Most of the injured were among a group of gas workers, firefighters and police officers who ducked for cover behind a utility truck just before the blast. Part of the neighborhood had been evacuated, because of reports of a gas leak and odor.

The gas company planned a news conference for later Sunday afternoon. A message left for a company spokeswoman was not immediately returned.

Preliminary reports showed that the blast had damaged 42 buildings, housing 115 residential units. Three buildings were immediately condemned and 24 will require additional inspections by structural engineers.

Springfield, which is 90 miles west of Boston and has about 150,000 residents, is the largest city in western Massachusetts. It's known as the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. The city has been rebuilding from damage caused by a tornado in June 2011.

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