Anadarko responsible for house explosion, deaths, injuries, in CO....

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An abandoned gas line that had never been disconnected from a nearby well was at the root of a deadly home explosion in Firestone on April 17, investigators announced Tuesday afternoon.

Ted Poszywak, chief of the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District, said the cut line allowed unrefined, odorless gas to enter the home through a French drain and a sump pit in the basement.

The April 17 blast at 6312 Twilight Ave. killed brothers-in-law Mark Martinez and Joey Irwin III, both 42, and critically injured Erin Martinez, Mark Martinez’s wife who is a science teacher at Mountain Range High School.

The couple’s 11-year-old son was also hurt, although he was released from the hospital the same day and is with family.

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Poszywak said investigators found two abandoned gas lines running to the well that were apparently cut near the foundation of the home, which was built in 2015. The second line was disconnected from the well and properly capped and posed no danger.

The other line was still connected to the well. The well, which was shut down for all of 2016, was restarted Jan. 28. Poszywak said it was possible gas had been leaking out of the cut line since then.

The explosion leveled the home in the Oak Meadows subdivision, and the subsequent fire was intense.

The bodies of the two men who died were located in the basement the following day.

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HOUSTON, May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) provided the following statement regarding the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District's results of investigation into the tragic accident in Firestone, Colo., which occurred on April 17. "I know I speak for everyone at Anadarko when I say that our thoughts and prayers remain with the Martinez and Irwin families as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones," said Al Walker, Anadarko Chairman, President and CEO. "The safety of our employees and the people who live and work in the communities in which we operate is our number one priority. Consistent with that, and out of an abundance of caution, last week we shut in our vertical wells in the Oak Meadows area and throughout the basin. We hope that doing so also provided some additional reassurance to the community in the wake of this tragic accident. We will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps in that regard, and will continue to cooperate fully with all ongoing investigations to ensure we fully understand the basis for the fire district's conclusions and that no stone is left unturned prior to any final determinations."

The company also will continue to work with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) on additional steps or actions the agency deems necessary.

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