On the afternoon of April 17th, 10-year-old Gillian Chapman and her little sister Kailey were on their front porch. Gillian had on her roller blades; Kailey had her scooter. They had just gotten permission to go visit their friend Jaelynn, across the street and two doors down.
Then, Jaelynn’s house exploded.
“The house just split open,” Gillian said. “You could see the upstairs.”
Jaelynn Martinez was not in her home at the time, but her father Mark and uncle Joey Irwin were in the basement and were killed in the blast. Her mother, Erin Martinez was injured.
The explosion, in the northern Colorado town of Firestone, is prompting a lot of questions in the state about how oil and gas wells are regulated, and how close to old wells new homes should be built. The incident was linked to a leaking gas line running from a well 178 feet from the property.
The fatal Oak Meadows home explosion occurred in an area with many wells that had been drilled in the 1990s, indicated by orange markers. In this time-lapse aerial view, from 1999 through 2015 new housing developments encroach upon the old wells. Data sources: COGCC, Google Earth.
Credit Jordan Wirfs-Brock / Inside Energy
Within days after the incident, Governor John Hickenlooper ordered statewide inspections of all such lines, called flow lines, within 1,000 feet of occupied buildings within 30 days.
Right now, there is no comprehensive state map showing where flow lines exist.
Julia Chapman said when they bought their house a couple of years ago, neighboring oil and gas sites just weren’t something they thought about.
“We just sort of trusted that the city and the oil and gas (industry) knew what they were doing,” she said.
Matt Lepore is Director of Colorado’s Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. At a press conference, he called the explosion “highly unusual.” He says the state is looking very hard at the issue and is taking steps “to absolutely minimize any possibility of this happening again.”
Colorado’s population has increased by a half a million people since 2010 — bringing with it a lot of new home construction along the state’s clustered Front Range. Weld County, where Firestone is located, issued more than 5,000 new building permits in the last 2 years. The northern Front Range also happens to be where much of Colorado’s oil and gas production is located. State data show that there are now some 54,000 active oil and gas wells in the state, and another 80,000 or so inactive and abandoned wells.
North Thornton
This region in North Thornton, Colorado, which includes homes, parks, an elementary school and Wal-Mart Supercenter, has numerous wells that were spudded or drilled between 1972 and 1991, indicated with orange markers. Slide back and forth to see development between 2001 and 2015. Data sources: COGCC, Google Earth. Image credit: Jordan Wirfs-Brock, Inside Energy.West Greeley
In this area of western Greeley, well locations are indicated with orange markers. The state wells database has no information on when many were drilled. This could be because they are old enough that they pre-date accurate record-keeping. A few wells were drilled or spudded in 2009 as well. Slide back and forth to see development between 1999 and 2016. Data sources: COGCC, Google Earth. Image credit: Jordan Wirfs-Brock, Inside Energy.
Shortly after the accident, Anadarko Petroleum shut down 3,000 wells in the area. Regulators insist there is no more danger for the surrounding properties surrounding the Martinez home.
“I would say (with the heightened scrutiny) we’re probably safer now than we’ve ever been,” Julia Chapman said.
But, more new homes keep going up. And while new oil wells must be drilled at least 500 feet from homes and 1,000 feet from buildings like homes and schools, there is no state regulation for the inverse — no rule for how far new homes must be built from existing oil wells.
When asked about whether the state should enact these so-called “reverse setbacks,” Northern Colorado Homebuilders Association Executive Officer Gregory Miedema said the industry would be willing discuss anything that would keep confidence in the home buying public.
“What they want to make sure is they don’t price the public out of a new home,” he said, explaining that any new regulations could shrink land available for new home construction, thereby raise housing prices.
Anadarko Faces Shareholder Suit After Fatal Gas Explosion
By Michael Phillis Law360, New York (May 4, 2017, 2:42 PM EDT) --
A shareholder suit filed in Texas federal court on Wednesday alleges that Anadarko Petroleum Corp. lied about safety risks in its public filings prior to a fatal gas explosion that demolished a home in Colorado, arguing the company's false disclosures cost investors money.
Anadarko made public statements that it was in compliance with existing safety regulations but failed to disclose key information about some of its vertical wells that were allegedly at increased risk of explosion, according to the suit brought by named plaintiff Robert Edgar. The "materially false" statements about its positive safety approach allowed the company's stock price to remain artificially high until the days and weeks following April 17, when two people were killed in a Colorado home explosion caused by a faulty gas line.
The putative class action seeks damages for investor losses.
"As a result of the dissemination of the aforementioned false and misleading reports, releases and public statements, the market price of Anadarko securities was artificially inflated through the class period," the complaint said. "In ignorance of the adverse facts concerning Anadarko's business and financial condition, which were concealed by defendants, plaintiff and the other members of the class purchased or otherwise acquired Anadarko securities at artificially inflated prices and relied upon the price of the securities, the integrity of the market for the securities and/or upon statements disseminated by defendants, and were damaged thereby."
The suit defines the putative class as anyone who purchased or acquired Anadarko securities between Feb. 17, 2016, and May 2, 2017.
The suit documents company statements and earnings from Anadarko's public filings prior to the April 17 house explosion. Almost 10 days after the explosion, news broke that Anadarko was shutting down 3,000 vertical wells in Colorado. After the well closures, the suit records the first of two stock drops at the center of this complaint: shares fell 4.7 percent to $57.12 on April 26.
Then the Firestone, Colorado, Police Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation released their conclusions on May 2 about the cause of the explosion. They decided the explosion was linked to a faulty gas line connected to an old well owned by Anadarko.
"Officials stated that the gas line had been abandoned, but not disconnected from the wellhead and sealed at both ends," the suit says. "Consequently, the line only stopped leaking gas after Anadarko shut down 3,000 wells in the region following the explosion."
The cause of the explosion came out on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the share price dropped again, this time by 8.1 percent to close at $51.74.
"As a result of defendants' wrongful acts and omissions, and the precipitous decline in the market value of the company's securities, plaintiff and other class members have suffered significant losses and damages," the complaint said.
The explosion occurred in a residential neighborhood in Firestone, a town about 30 miles north of Denver. Video of the incident's aftermath showed that no part of the house survived the gas explosion. In place of the home, the basement and surrounding land was littered with charred, unrecognizable debris.
Al Walker, Anadarko chairman, president and CEO, said on May 2 that he was deeply saddened by the accident.
"The safety of our employees and the people who live and work in the communities in which we operate is our No. 1 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," Walker's statement said. "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."
Representatives for both sides did not return a request for comment.
Counsel information was not available Thursday for Anadarko.
The plaintiffs are represented by Willie C. Briscoe of the Briscoe Law Firm PLLC and Jeremy A. Lieberman, J. Alexander Hood II, Hui M. Chang and Patrick V. Dahlstrom of Pomerantz LLP and Peretz Bronstein of Bronstein Gewirtz & Grossman LLC.
The case is Robert Edgar et al. v. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. et al., case number 4:17-cv-1372, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.
HAVERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- An early morning fire ripped through a popular Delaware County restaurant and sports pub.
It happened at Barnaby's of America on the 1900 block of Old West Chester Pike in Havertown.
The 2-alarm fire began around 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
Crews were able to get an upper hand on the blaze, but before it heavily damaged the restaurant.
"Extremely heartbreaking. Barnaby's Havertown is like a person to me. It's family. Everyone that works here is family," owner Bill Daley said.
Action News viewer Christine Hutkin recorded video as Barnaby's was fully engulfed in flames.
From employees to patrons, it is clear that Barnaby' is beloved place in the town.
"I started crying before I even pulled in. I've worked here for 13 years and it's like a second home," employee Nicole Rudolph said.
Havertown resident Joe Kane has a son who works at Barnaby's.
"It's a neighborhood institution. It's a shame," Kane said.
With flames so intense and so widespread, there wasn't much crews could do. Everyone we spoke with just wants their favorite spot back.
"It's a popular place and I hope it gets rebuilt soon and they're able to get it going because it's a big hangout for a lot of people," Diane Reiner of Upper Darby said.
Daley says his employees and loyal patrons do not have to worry because Barnaby's is in fact coming back.
"I've already started the ball rolling. You have to turn around and be optimistic. We're going to be back and we're going to be back soon," Daley said.
Four cars that were left in the parking lot overnight were damaged by the intense heat.
No one was inside the restaurant when the fire started. There is no word on a cause.
Fire badly damages Barnaby's restaurant. Gray Hall reports during Action News at 9:30 a.m. on May 7, 2017.
Restaurant fire in Havertown.
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Fire at Barnaby's restaurant in Havertown ruled accidental; possibly sparked by cigarette
Monday, May 08, 2017 12:08PM
HAVERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A weekend fire that ripped through a popular Delaware County restaurant and pub has been ruled accidental.
The Havertown fire police chief said on Monday the blaze at Barnaby's of America may have been sparked by a cigarette.
The two-alarm fire began around 5:30 a.m. Sunday at the restaurant on the 1900 block of Old West Chester Pike.
Crews were able to eventually get an upper hand on the blaze, but not before it heavily damaged the restaurant.
"Extremely heartbreaking. Barnaby's Havertown is like a person to me. It's family. Everyone that works here is family," owner Bill Daley said.
Action News viewer Christine Hutkin recorded video as Barnaby's was fully engulfed in flames.
From employees to patrons, it is clear that Barnaby's is beloved place in the town.
"I started crying before I even pulled in. I've worked here for 13 years and it's like a second home," employee Nicole Rudolph said.
Havertown resident Joe Kane has a son who works at Barnaby's.
"It's a neighborhood institution. It's a shame," Kane said.
With flames so intense and so widespread, there wasn't much crews could do. Everyone we spoke with just wants their favorite spot back.
"It's a popular place and I hope it gets rebuilt soon, and they're able to get it going, because it's a big hangout for a lot of people," Diane Reiner of Upper Darby said.
Daley says his employees and loyal patrons do not have to worry because Barnaby's is, in fact, coming back.
"I've already started the ball rolling. You have to turn around and be optimistic. We're going to be back and we're going to be back soon," Daley said.
Four cars that were left in the parking lot overnight were damaged by the intense heat.
No one was inside the restaurant when the fire started.
As for reopening, management says they're shooting for the July 4th weekend.
Fire badly damages Barnaby's restaurant. Gray Hall reports during Action News at 9:30 a.m. on May 7, 2017.
Restaurant fire in Havertown. Gray Hall reports during Action News at 6 a.m. on May 7, 2017.
(Credit: Ron Bailey)
Updated 16 mins ago
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (WPVI) -- A person remains in critical condition following a crash that sent an SUV into the bay in Atlantic City.
It happened around 4 a.m. Sunday on Fairmount Avenue.
Authorities say the driver of an SUV lost control and smashed through the bulkhead into the water.
(Ron Bailey)
The driver managed to escape; a passenger left inside the vehicle was rescued by a passerby.
The Atlantic City Fire Department arrived on scene seconds later and immediately jumped into the bay to search for additional victims.
(Ron Bailey)
No other victims were found. The passenger was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
There is no word on what caused the crash.
PSE&G worker injured in fall through steps reportedly gets $825K settlement
By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
updated May 02, 2017 at 12:03 PM
A PSEG&G worker injured in 2013 when basement steps collapsed under him in a building in Elizabeth has settled his suit against the owner for $825,000, according to a report.
Charles McGruder, now 48, finished reading the electric meter below a convenience store on Elizabeth Avenue and was climbing the wooden steps to leave when they crumbled and sent him tumbling several feet, NJLawJournal.com reported.
McGruder suffered multiple herniated discs in his back, hurt his shoulder and aggravated an already existing knee injury, the suit claimed. He later underwent multiple back procedures, the report said.
The building owner's insurance carrier, State Farm, agreed to the settlement on March 9, just as the two sides were to enter mediation.
The building is owned by Singh & Patel, LLC.
Jury awards $855k to Coca-Cola delivery worker in Bridgeport pizza shop fall case
By Cedar Attanasio
Published 12:25 pm, Friday, May 5, 2017
BRIDGEPORT, CT—A Waterbury man has won a $855,408 jury verdict following a work-related fall in a pizza shop.
Mauricio Boez, 52, fell downstairs at the business while delivering Coca-Cola products in 2010, according to the Connecticut Law Tribune, which first reported the story. The jury ruled that the pizza place was mostly responsible for the fall, due to problems with the steps and landing.
The incident cited in the lawsuit occurred in the service entrance of the basement of Famous Pizza House on Park Avenue, which has been under new ownership since 2012.
Boez’ lawyers successfully argued that the fall led to injuries that required multiple surgeries. The jury found that he was ten percent responsible, reducing the award, according to the Tribune.
The site of the fall is a service entrance, which is not used by customers.
Around $312,000 in the case was attributed directly to medical expenses, according to the Tribune, and the rest a combination of pain and disability. Attorneys representing the former owners of the shop argued that the surgeries were required by unrelated accidents.
Unless the case is appealed, the money will be paid out from the former pizza shop’s insurance company, according to the Tribune.
Canton tornado victims struggle with storm's emotional toll
In Van Zandt County, residents struggle with emotions and a lot of debris after several deadly tornadoes touched down last week. (KTRK)
Saturday, May 06, 2017 05:11PM
CANTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A week after multiple tornadoes touched down in Van Zandt County near Canton, residents are facing the daunting task of cleaning up.
Neighbors are working to put their lives together after the violent storms that killed at least five people in northeast Texas.
Dozens of other people were hospitalized in those tornadoes, and still there is great loss in communities throughout the region.
Former Houstonian lost everything to devastating Canton tornadoes
A Houston woman has lost her family home in East Texas to major tornado damage.
PHOTOS: Tornadoes rip through Canton, Texas
(SkySPOT97/Twitter)
Piles of debris are stacked where homes once stood, and many expressed grief about the lives and possessions they have lost.
Still, others are expressing gratitude to be alive.
Violent storms kill 5 in Canton, Texas
Four dead and dozens injured after tornadoes hit East Texas, Steven Romo reports.
Canton officials say the death toll could rise after several tornadoes hit their town overnight
TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) --
A Trenton, New Jersey neighborhood was flooded by a broken water main on Saturday morning.
It happened around 12:30 a.m. when a 24-inch main broke along Garfield and Walnut avenues.
There's a four block radius that's affected.
Firefighters arrived and began knocking on residents' doors to let them know.
One resident told Action News there was about five feet of water in her basement.
Resident Martha Black said, "All of a sudden I heard this noise that said boom! And then I wondered what's going on."
"We have the problem isolated. Once we can get the water dissipated, we can have the contractors start repairing the water main," said Trenton Public Works Director Merkle Cherry.
Basements and cars were left flooded.
"My car was flooded. I was knee deep," said Kiersten Williams.
Some neighbors had to temporarily leave their homes.
Late Saturday afternoon, most of the water had receded. Crews were able to pull the broken main out of the ground.
They also had to fix a damaged sewer line, but managed to get the water back on.
City employees say residents will need to be patient while crews make the necessary repairs to the water main.
Crews are expected back on Sunday to finish up the work.
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THE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
TRENTON — A water main rupture is having an effect on two Mercer County communities.
Michael Walker, spokesman for Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson, told New Jersey 101.5 the break is in a 24-inch water line that burst around 12:30 a.m. in the East Ward. It sent water into the streets in roughly a four-block area around Walnut between South Olden and Garfield avenues.
Walker said crews have to wait for the water to fully recede so they can have access to the break itself.
The pipe is a feeder line that carries water to Trenton Water Works customer in Hamilton.
“It’s a large water main made of galvanized metal and they’re quite old,” and they are vulnerable to changes in the temperature.
“One of our tanks in the Whitehorse-Mercerville area has been impacted. We are still trying to assess the impact that the break has had on water supply to parts of the Hamilton area,” Walker said, adding that some customers are only experiencing low water pressure and brown colored water.
He said officials are not requesting that residents boil water before use, but residents should do so anyway if they’re concerned.
Hamilton Police said they have received calls from Trenton Water Works customers about low pressure and some brown colored water.
