Mar 4, 2009 7:58 am US/Eastern
Damaged Gas Main Found Near Somerset Home
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The home at 93 New York Ave. the day after the explosion.
WBZ
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The home at 93 New York Ave. in Somerset before the explosion.
WBZ
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This is an image from a cell phone camera of the fire after the explosion.
WBZ
The cause of the Somerset explosion that killed a woman and her dog last month is becoming clearer.
New England Gas Company says the gas main in front of the home was damaged and breached by a third party.
The town pressed New England Gas for answers, so the company sent a letter outlining what has been done to make sure the neighborhood is safe.
It also gives a possible clue as to why the house exploded.
Watch: Raw aerial video of neighborhood
The home at 93 New York Ave.
blew up on the evening of February 19, shaking up the neighborhood and damaging several other homes.
62-year-old Rose Marie Rebello and her dog were killed.
View: Map of neighborhood
The official cause of the blast is under investigation, but we know that before the explosion, firefighters and gas crews were on their way to the neighborhood because of several calls about a strong smell of gas.
Read: What to do if you smell natural gas
In a letter to the town, the gas company states that the 200 foot section of gas main that was isolated included a short section where the gas main was damaged and breached.
The company goes on to say the section appears to have been physically damaged by a third party contractor.
Explainer: Natural gas delivery and inspections
The company states it will not comment on how or when it was damaged or who might be responsible.
The letter only claims it happened sometime after the main was installed in the 1960's.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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