When an old natural gas service line leading to the home was replaced, it was not properly disconnected from Columbia’s main line. A curb valve to the old natural gas service line was misidentified as a water valve, and when a City of Columbus Water Department technician operated the valve, natural gas flowed into the home through the improperly abandoned line and ignited.

PUCO staff concluded that Columbia did not follow its operating procedures to properly abandon an old service line, including removing or sealing the valve box and physically disconnecting the service line from its main line.