State Utility Board to Review Ewing St. Gas Fire

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will review all aspects of the gas leak and fire on Ewing Street in Princeton that evacuated half a dozen homes, led to diesel oil spill and closed local roads for hours, a spokesperson said on Thursday. 

"Board staff responded to the incident and will report back to the board on findings," NJBPU Director of Communications Greg Reinert said. 

That's standard procedure for utility accidents and gas leaks, Reinert said. 

A review will determine if the contractor requested utility markings, if the utility followed through, if the contractor followed rules and regulations, etc. 

There is no set timeline of when the review will be completed, Reinert said. 

Depending on the outcome of the inquiry, the board could levy fines and penalties, hesaid. 

It was early Wednesday when a construction operator accidentally ruptured a pressured gas line just north of Cuyler Road while milling the road. 

Top Line Construction co-owner Steve Castela said his firm made the proper three-day notification for the project. The next step was for PSE&G to mark the location of underground utilities with either paint or flags. 

"They didn't come out," Castela said Wednesday afternoon. "Had this been marked, this wouldn't have happened."

Princeton Municipal Engineer Robert Kiser confirmed Castela's account, saying he has seen documentation and confirmation of the utility notification. 

PSE&G spokesman Kristine Snodgrass said late Wednesday that the utilities were marked for this project, but could not immediately confirm when or where the work was done. 

Wednesday's fire could not be extinguished until nearly 3 p.m., at which time gas was turned off in the area in order to make repairs. 

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