On November 16, 2016, about 5:44 p.m. central standard time, a natural gas-fueled explosion occurred at a two-level commercial building located at 45 East Side Square in Canton, Illinois. One Ameren employee was killed and 11 people were injured, including two Ameren employees.
We determined that the probable cause of the natural gas release and subsequent explosion was third party damage from Sure Shot’s directional drilling to install underground fiber optic conduit. Contributing to the pipeline damage was Sure Shot’s decision not to excavate at the utility crossing to visually inspect the work, while in progress, until clear of the underground utilities, as required by Illinois law. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the failure of Sure Shot and Ameren to evacuate the area.
