NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
The U.S. National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) has published a preliminary report concerning a fatal gas pipeline explosion that occurred last month in Lexington, Missouri.
According to the NTSB report, on April 9, 2025, about 7:42 p.m. local time, a natural gas–fueled explosion and fires in Lexington, Missouri, destroyed one single-family residence and damaged two others. The accident claimed the life of a five-year-old boy, and seriously injured his 10-year-old sister and father.
The explosion occurred after Alfra Construction, LLC, a drilling subcontractor installing a fiber optic line for Sellenriek Construction, drilled into an unmarked section of a capped underground gas distribution main located near the residences. The gas main was operated by Liberty Utilities, a subsidiary of Algonquin Power and Utilities Corporation, which provides gas service to the area.
The NTSB report findings concluded that two days before the incident, Liberty Utilities sent an 811 locator to mark the buried utilities. However, the location of the capped gas main section involved in the accident was not identified or marked during this process.
The report claims the gas company, Liberty Utilities, did not properly mark an area where the gas line was hit. It also states emergency personnel crews did not notify neighbors or residents despite being on scene for three hours leading up to the explosion. The Lexington Fire Department arrived on scene shortly after the gas line was hit. Crews tried to seal off the leaking line, but were unable to stop the flow of gas.
While on scene, the National Transportation Safety Board conducted interviews, observed the excavation of the area near the leak, visually examined and measured the damaged pipe, observed bar hole and pressure testing, and collected policy and procedure documents from the companies involved.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation is ongoing. "Future investigative activity will focus on Liberty Utilities’ responses to 811 requests, leak and repair history, emergency response and isolation procedures, record keeping, pipeline safety management system, operator qualifications, and public awareness program; state safety oversight; and local emergency response and evacuation procedures," the NTSB stated.
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