At 12:50 p.m. on Thursday July 19th, Local 2164 members responded to an accident involving a trenching tractor in a neighborhood under construction at 15895 E. Otero Avenue. The workers called 911 and reported that they struck a natural gas line underground, which burst into flames. When members arrived they found the tractor fully engulfed and a large volume of fire venting from the pressurized natural gas. Thankfully the operator of the trencher safely evacuated and no one was injured. Members used water streams to protect the nearby fence and building from radiant heat until Xcel Energy arrived and shut off the gas. As a precaution, Tower 35 also laddered the roof of the closest building to monitor heat conditions. No structures were damaged but the tractor was destroyed. This incident serves as a good reminder to always call 811 before you dig.

https://www.southmetro.photography/2018-Images/Otero-Avenue-Natural-Gas-Fire/