Authorities in Collin County, Texas, are still working to determine why an Atmos Energy natural gas pipeline exploded Monday afternoon, tragically killing two contract workers and seriously injuring two others.
According to local media outlets, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are joining the effort, and the FBI has been asked for assistance processing the blast site.
2 Men Killed in Atmos Energy Pipeline Explosion Identified
The June 28th explosion erupted shortly after 3:30 p.m., as Bobcat Contracting and Fesco Petroleum Engineering employees performed pipeline maintenance at an Atmos Energy site near State Highway 78 and FM2756 in Farmersville, about 35 miles northeast of Dallas.
Two contractors died at the scene. The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office has since identified the deceased as a 22-year-old man from Mesquite and a 35-year-old man from El Campo.
Two other workers were rushed to the hospital. So far, authorities have not released their names, disclosed the nature of their injuries, or commented on their current condition.
NTSB Investigated 2018 Fatal Atmos Energy Explosion in Dallas
So far, it’s not known what caused the natural gas pipeline to explode.
Although authorities believe the blast was an accident, they have asked the FBI to process the scene due to the law enforcement agency’s extensive experience handling explosion sites.
The NTSB is an independent federal agency responsible for investigating civil transportation accidents, including gas and oil pipeline accidents, explosions, incidents, and ruptures that result in a fatality, significant injury to the environment, or substantial property damage.
The NTSB recently concluded an investigation into another Atmos Energy pipeline explosion that tragically killed a 12-year-old Dallas girl in 2018. According to the final report, the Board unanimously found Atmos had “inadequate” pipeline management and an “insufficient” leak investigation that contributed to “inaction” in evacuating the northwest Dallas neighborhood where the blast occurred.
Atmos Energy Recently Fined $1.6 Million for Pipeline Safety Violations
The Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees pipeline safety in the state, found that Atmos Energy failed to adequately detect gas leaks in the days and months before the 2018 blast and proposed fining the Dallas-based company a record $1.6 million for safety violations related to that incident and two others.
The Texas Railroad Commission is also among the agencies investigating Monday’s deadly natural gas explosion in Farmersville.
Contact Our Undefeated Texas Pipeline Explosion Lawyers for a Free Consult by Calling 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here
Having won billions and record-breaking verdicts and settlements for explosion victims throughout Texas, Louisiana, and across the United States, our Undefeated Texas Pipeline Explosion Lawyers have the resources and knowledge to hold negligent pipeline operators accountable and ensure injured workers and their families obtain the financial resources to care for themselves for the rest of their lives.
If you or someone you love was injured or tragically killed in the Atmos Energy pipeline explosion, please call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.
Your consultation is entirely free and confidential, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.