Story entered Thursday, 12/16/1999 Printer friendly text version

EXPLOSION FALLOUT

Utility officials, operator to discuss troubled Huntington plant

Residents still without water after fire.

By Michelle L. Klampe of The News@Sentinel

HUNTINGTON -- Residents of this community's Norwood subdivision should have a better idea today just how long they'll be without water after an explosion and fire Tuesday at Estates Utilities.

State utility officials were to meet with interim utility operator McMahon and Associates this morning to determine what is needed to repair the water treatment plant and restore water to its 800 customers, said Jo Lynn Ewing, public information officer for the Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor.

The freak accident occurred when a repaired pipe apparently broke, spewing water inside the plant and knocking loose a propane gas line on a nearby generator. After two workers discovered the leaking gas line, they inadvertently.ignited the flammable gas by driving their repair vehicle toward the building, said Huntington Fire Chief Jim Jennings.

The two workers suffered second- and third-degree burns. Ronald Ulrey, 62,of Fort Wayne, and Darrell Mawk, 30, of Grover Hill, Ohio, were both listed instable condition at St. Joseph Hospital.

The accident was the latest in a list of serious problems at the utility in recent years. The utility and its owner, Don Rice Jr. of Fort Wayne, have been under investigation by the Utility Consumer Counselor, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and the Indiana Department of Emergency Management.

Customers have complained for several years about poor water quality, poor service and other problems, Ewing said. Rice's other Huntington-area utilities, Arlington and Havenwood, also are under investigation.

The Utility Regulatory Commission in August demanded Rice correct problems at the utilities. Rice failed to respond, and the commission began steps to have Rice removed as owner, Ewing said. Meanwhile, separate proceedings were taking place against Rice in Allen Superior Court.

At the time of the explosion, Estate Utilities ownership was transferring from Rice to Norwood Community Association, Ewing said. The association had planned to contract with McMahon and Associates to maintain the water plant. Rice still owned the utility, though.

"We felt that it was going to be in the consumer's best interest to find an independent operator to take over in this crisis situation," Ewing said.

The utility regulatory commission intervened Tuesday night and appointed McMahon and Associates interim operator. The company began assessing the plant damage Wednesday, and was to make its first report today, Ewing said.

Meanwhile, residents without water -- including 160 homes, Norwood Nursing Center and Norwood Apartments and Townhomes -- are picking up bottled water at the nursing center.

Huntington's YMCA has opened its showers to residents without water. Executive Director Harry Linback said at least a dozen people used the Y's showers Wednesday morning at no charge. The showers will be available as long as necessary, he said.

"We've done similar kinds of things in the past," Linback said. "That's part of our mission. As long as they need it, we'll do it."

Tess

-- Tess (preparingfortheworst@prayingforthebest.com), December 16, 1999.

Typical doomer memetic reaction to an accident - celebration. After all, the world was going to end! Everything everywhere - gone...and in just a few days. They had to "warn" everyone, and used this and similar accidents as "proof."

Pathetic and sad.

Vindicated Regards,
Andy Ray

-- Andy Ray (andyman633@hotmail.com), June 05, 2000

Answers

I'm still pathetic and sad.

Vindicated Regards,
Andy 'Going Postal'Ray

-- Andy "Going Postal" Ray (antichrist666@hotmail.com), June 05, 2000.

FLASH: Andy Ray admits to being "pathetic and sad"'

-- (nemesis@awol.com), June 05, 2000.

Sorry, nemesis. Andy "Meme Boy" Ray being pathetic and sad is old news. He's resorted to picking quotes that don't even mention Y2k (whatever that was).

-- Jimmy Olsen, Cub Reporter (SoWhat'sNew?@DailyPlanet.com), June 05, 2000.

I was going to write something scathing, but I realize this makes me part of the (extremely SICK) problem of having nothing better to do with our lives than write scathing responses to people we would never have the balls to talk like that to in real life.

~Madame Zoobie

-- Zoobiette (zoobiette@yahoo.com), June 05, 2000.