Landscape firm faces fine after digging ignites fire

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 | 10:59 a.m.

W.P.W. Landscape and Sprinkler of Las Vegas could be facing as much as a $1,000 fine for not calling before they started digging Tuesday which resulted in igniting a natural gas fire.

Workers had been digging a ditch to install a drain line from the rear of a house at 2005 Redbird Drive to the front curb when they hit a one-inch plastic natural gas line about 11:30 a.m. The operator continued digging and wound up igniting the line, authorities said.

Flames were shooting out of the line and touching a large house under construction when Las Vegas firefighters arrived and began attacking the flames with water to keep it from spreading. Southwest Gas Corp. arrived a few minutes later and turned off the power, permitting firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Tim Szymanski, department spokesman, said a fire inspector will be citing the company for not calling before digging and for the unauthorized release of a hazardous material, which has a maximum $1,000 penalty or six months in jail. Southwest Gas said the company would also be responsible for replacing the gas line.

The public is reminded to call the Underground Service Alert at 1-800-227-2600 at least two days before digging for landscaping, construction or home improvement. The free service will notify local utilities, including power, phone, sewer, cable TV, water and natural gas to have the utilities marked off and prevent accidents.