Probe into fatal gas line blast may take months

Columbia Gas of Ohio is asserting that its lines were not responsible for a fatal explosion this week at a house in Madison Township, but the State Fire Marshal’s office said Thursday it could be months before an investigation determines the blast’s origin and cause.

“Based on our inspections and observations to date, we remain confident that our main lines and service lines did not contribute to this incident,” a statement issued by Columbia Gas of Ohio said.

Kelly Stincer, a spokeswoman for the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau, said it is still investigating the origin of the blast and what caused it. She was unable to independently verify if Columbia is not liable for the explosion, saying it could be months before the bureau’s investigation is completed.

“We will continue to support their investigation,” Columbia said in its statement Wednesday.

First responders were called just before 4 a.m. Monday to the 3300 block of Everson Road East.

Stewart Bell, 59, who owned the home, was in a secondstory bedroom when he was blown out of the house and landed in the driveway. He told The Dispatch in an interview that he smelled gas outside his home last week but did not smell anything indoors or near the gas meter. He said that’s why he chose not to report the smell to Columbia Gas or call 911. He was released from the hospital this week.

Bell’s girlfriend, 54-yearold Shelly Williams, was also in a second-story bedroom when the home exploded. She was trapped under rubble and later died from internal injuries at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

If anyone smells the rotten-egg odor of natural gas, they’re urged to call Columbia at 800-344-4077 and 911.