Downed tree in Lower Providence damaged electric poles, transformers; Superior Tube worker injured
By Lower Providence Township, For Digital First Media
November 10, 2017
LOWER PROVIDENCE TWP., PA
On Thursday afternoon a contractor was moving trees on an approved new townhouse community site in the 3900 block of Germantown Pike when, during the process, the contractor dropped a tree onto PECO power lines, damaging several electric poles, wires and transformers.
The damage to the PECO facilities led to a power outage for local residents and commercial properties shortly after the incident, which occurred around 2:50 p.m. The debris prevented a safe passage in the 3900 block of Germantown Pike and the power outage also disabled several traffic signals. Police and fire police had to direct traffic around the area.
Superior Tube Company is located at 3901 Germantown Pike. The power outage to their facility stopped their operations and the staff initiated a shutdown of equipment and operating systems. During that process, a piece of machinery malfunctioned and an employee was struck in the head by a metal plate. At 6:03 p.m., Lower Providence Township EMS was dispatched to the scene. Upon evaluating the injured employee, EMS personnel’s personal carbon monoxide (CO) meters indicated a dangerous level of CO in the area. EMS evacuated the injured employee along with other staff.
The injured employee was transported to Paoli Trauma Center where he underwent surgery for his injuries.
At 6:17 p.m., Lower Providence Township Volunteer Fire Department (LPFD) was dispatched for a carbon monoxide investigation. Upon the arrival of LPFD, a sampling of the area indicated high CO levels. Superior Tube staff revealed that during the shutdown process, there may have been a release of hydrogen and nitrogen inside the building, in addition to the carbon monoxide.
At 6:37 p.m., LPPD upgraded their response for additional resources including the Montgomery County Hazmat Team, operated through the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety. Fire personnel proceeded to shut down the supply of hydrogen, nitrogen and other gases/chemicals on site and ventilate the building through a manual opening of a roof top ventilator, doors and windows. PECO terminated electrical and natural services to the building. Air monitoring continued until acceptable levels were obtained.
At 10:15 p.m., the building was released back to Superior Tube. At 11:20 p.m., PECO completed the restoration to their facilities and Germantown Pike was reopened to traffic.
Fire Marshal Charles DeFrangesco said Superior Tube staff and their contractors worked closely with emergency personnel to return the building to a safe condition. Utility services remain off until further evaluation of their operating systems.
The fire marshal will work with Superior Tube and other agencies to identify the root cause for this event. The fire marshal added that there was no known release of gases/chemicals off site that needed a notification or evacuation of Superior Tube’s neighbors.
Assisting agencies were fire companies from Collegeville, Trappe, Perkiomen, Skippack and Jeffersonville; EMS from Lower Providence and Trappe; Hazardous Materials Team from Montgomery County Department of Public Safety; and police from Lower Providence Township.