Sewer line work was being done when Fairborn explosion occurred

Staff photo by Brandon Smith-Hebson

ENLARGE PHOTO

Staff photo by Brandon Smith-Hebson

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer Updated 12:23 AM Friday, November 18, 2011

FAIRBORN — Someone was trying to perform sewer line work right before the duplex at 367-369 Wayne Drive exploded Saturday, Fairborn Fire Chief Michael Riley confirmed.

Natural gas built up in the basement of the duplex, likely the result of the excavation work, said Shane Cartmill, state fire marshal’s spokesman.

“Eventually, the natural gas found an ignition source resulting in the explosion,” Cartmill said.

The explosion killed James R. Davis, 71, of 2750 Springfield-Jamestown Road, and injured eight others — two adults and six children, Cartmill said.

The identity of the person doing the excavating has not yet been released.

Davis was the owner of J.R. Davis Excavating, 2750 S. Limestone St., Springfield.

Two of the children were released from Children’s Medical Center of Dayton this week. Someone was taken to Cincinnati’s Shriners Hospital. That person’s condition is unknown.

The state expects additional interviews to take place over the next few weeks.

The city did not issue any water and sewer or right-of-way permits for digging at the Wayne Drive address, according to James Sawyer, city engineer.

No one called the 811 Call Before You Dig Service Number prior to excavating according to Chase Kelley, director of corporate communications for Vectren Energy Delivery.

The law requires contractors and individuals to call the number at least 48 hours before work begins so local utilities can mark underground power lines, pipes, and cables to avoid, Kelley said.

Vectren is conducting its own investigation , Kelley said.

In situations where contractors have struck a gas line while not following proper procedures, Vectren would seek recovery costs for the labor required for the repair and the price of the gas that was leaked out into the air.

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