Federal Report: 2016 Canton Gas Explosion Caused by Contractor
A contractor violated state law in causing a natural-gas rupture that resulted in a fatal explosion two years ago in downtown Canton, a federal investigation revealed.
Representatives of Sure Shot Communications of Brimfield were installing underground fiber-optic cable Nov. 16, 2016, when they cut a gas line behind the Opera House Professional Center annex.
A few hours later, the annex — located on the east side of the downtown square — exploded.
A National Transportation Safety Board investigation report issued Monday blamed the gas line damage for the blast.
Sure Shot personnel also did not excavate a concrete sidewalk atop the gas line before drilling. Illinois law states such drilling is to be inspected visually while in progress, according to the report…(Read the full story)
