Kittanning Paper - All Local... All the Time!

Two Hospitalized Following Explosion in West Franklin Township

Construction officials try to figure out what happened at a natural gas explosion at a compressor station along Fox Road in West Franklin Township yesterday afternoon. The identities of the two contractors injured were not released.

by Jonathan Weaver

Two EQT contractors were injured Wednesday afternoon during a natural gas accident in West Franklin Township.

While one contractor was taken by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital, another was taken from the scene via ambulance.

Their medical conditions were not released by EQT personnel or that on-scene Wednesday afternoon. EQT inspectors as well as piping and excavation officials were also witnessed at the site.

This incident occurred at a compressor station in the 300-block of Fox Road. The roadway in West Franklin Township is actually less than a mile from the Armstrong County and Clearfield Township, Butler County border.

Worthington-West Franklin volunteer firefighters extinguished the fire about mid-afternoon and no other injuries were reported as of last night.

Media Relations Manager Linda Robertson said the pipeline affected is not owned or operated by EQT. She said PA 1-call was contacted about the work prior to the start.

“An EQT contractor inadvertently struck a natural gas pipeline - he was working to clear a right-of-way,” Robertson said.

“It’s still very preliminary in-terms of what we know because it’s under investigation.”

She estimated the investigation will last “quite some time.”

According to permit information through Monday, there are currently 33 wells permitted on 30 well sites in West Franklin Township

Snyder Brothers, an East Franklin Township driller of more than 150 wells, reportedly owned the compressor station. Officials were not available for comment about the incident.

Local News | jweaver July 16, 2015