Probe into Homerville blast continues

Oct. 17--HOMERVILLE -- A state investigation is continuing into an explosion that damaged a coffee shop and injured three women Aug. 17.

A construction crew burying fiber optic lines hit a gas line, according to a statement from the Georgia Office of Insurance and Fire Safety. Atlanta Gas Light responded and capped the leak.

Then, at 12:15 p.m., the Coffee Corner, 112 E. Dame Ave., exploded, the statement said. Two employees and a customer were taken to the Shands hospital burn unit in Gainesville, Fla.

Fire investigators and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms determined gas had leaked into a sewer line that had also been breached by the construction crew. The gas seeped through the sewer line into the Coffee Corner, the statement said.

The state Public Service Commission is investigating the blast, said Bill Edge, a PSC spokesman. The commission is focusing on whether the gas line was properly located and if the excavation was carried out "with reasonable care," he said.

After investigating, the PSC's pipeline safety staff will put together a recommendation on whether fines are warranted. That report will be forwarded to the full commission, which has the final say in the matter, Edge said.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.

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