FLORESVILLE, Texas – For the second time in as many days, a crew has ruptured a natural gas line in Floresville.
But this time, no explosion resulted from the hit, which was not the case Tuesday, when one home was destroyed and several others were left with broken windows.
Recommended Videos
The impact from Thursday’s incident appeared to be minimal.
According to the Floresville Police Chief Anthony Flores, an unidentified company on Thursday morning ruptured a gas line on Highway 181, not far from the neighborhood where Tuesday’s explosion occurred.
City Manager Andy Joslin said the crew blamed for Thursday’s incident should not have been digging at the site because the city had halted all construction involving underground digging after Tuesday’s explosion. Joslin said a fine or penalty may be levied against the company or contractor that caused Thursday’s rupture.
Joslin on Friday identified the crew for Thursday’s incident as MAC Contractors, a contractor of Spectrum. Joslin said that Public Works and police will be monitoring all construction activity to “ensure with the cease on all digging/boring operations.”
A statement from the City of Floresville on Tuesday said a crew installing fiber optic lines in the area near H Street and 9th Street hit an underground gas line, which triggered the fiery explosion.
Rise Broadband, the company overseeing the fiber installation project Tuesday, acknowledged the incident in a written statement Thursday:
Due to the preliminary nature of an ongoing investigation, Rise Broadband can offer no further information at this time. We will provide further information as it becomes available.
Rise Broadband sent a second statement on Thursday afternoon:
While reports have surfaced today regarding a natural gas line rupture near Floresville, Texas, it is important to know Rise Broadband suspended all construction operations in the region after Tuesday’s accident pending the outcome of the investigation.
While officials conduct an ongoing investigation, we can offer no further information at this time. Rise Broadband will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.