Natural gas leaks repaired in Plum's Regency Park neighborhood ... - TribLIVE

Natural gas leaks repaired in Plum's Regency Park neighborhood following fatal Rustic Ridge blast | TribLIVE.com

Natural gas leaks repaired in Plum's Regency Park neighborhood following fatal Rustic Ridge blast

Following a fatal explosion that investigators say may have been fueled by natural gas in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood, two natural gas leaks have been found in another borough neighborhood.

Leaks were reported in the area of Crestview and Mower drives and in the 400 block of Kathy Lynn Drive in Plum’s Regency Park neighborhood.

The leak at Crestview and Mower was repaired Monday night, Peoples spokesman Nick Paradise said.

The leak on Kathy Lynn was being fixed today, he said.

In both locations, the odor of natural gas was noticeable in the outside air.

No information was immediately available regarding the age of the natural gas lines or what they are made of.

The cause of Saturday’s explosion at 141 Rustic Ridge Drive remains under investigation. Five people were killed: Michael Thomas, Plum’s borough manager; Heather Oravitz, the borough’s community development director; father and son Casey and Keegan Clontz; and Kevin Sebunia.

Oravitz’s husband, Paul, was last known to be hospitalized in critical condition with severe burns.

The blast originated at the Oravitz home at 141 Rustic Ridge and destroyed Thomas’ home at 139 Rustic Ridge and another owned by Harrison and Kelly Smith at 143 Rustic Ridge.

Many other houses sustained damage and an unknown number are expected to be demolished.

On Monday, the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed it was investigating the possibility that issues with a hot water tank at 141 Rustic Ridge may have played a role in the explosion.

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Brian by email at brittmeyer@triblive.com or via Twitter .