NTSB Board Meeting on natural gas fires in Merrimack Valley, Mass

The National Transportation Safety Board met on Sept. 24, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT), to determine the probable cause of the Sept. 13, 2018, series of explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts.

The explosions and fires occurred after high-pressure natural gas was released into a low-pressure gas distribution system in the northeast region of the Merrimack Valley. The system over-pressure damaged 131 structures, including five homes that were destroyed. Most of the damage was a result of structure fires ignited by gas-fueled appliances. One person was killed and 22 individuals, including three firefighters were transported to area hospitals.

The urgent safety recommendations issued earlier in the investigation are available at https://go.usa.gov/xVx73.