HOUSTON, June 9 (UPI) -- U.S. authorities said they were investigating whether a Texas energy company properly marked a gas pipeline before a deadly blast this week.
Electrical workers installing utility poles near Cleburne, Texas, hit a natural gas pipeline, causing an explosion Monday that killed one worker and injured several others.
The Texas Railroad Commission said it was examining whether pipeline owner Enterprise Product Partners of Houston properly marked the natural gas pipeline, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Electrical company C&H Power Line is also under investigation. Authorities are examining whether the company checked for natural gas lines before excavating as required by Texas law.
The commission, the Journal said, noted pipeline damage from excavation fell 25 percent from 2008 to 2009, though excavation remains the primary cause for pipeline damage.
The commission said it would need around 45 days to finish its investigation. Enterprise said repairs to the pipeline would take about four days once the investigation is completed.
