F2018-12 WI

One Firefighter Dies and Another Injured 

in Natural Gas Line Explosion—

Wisconsin

NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 2

Summary

On July 10, 2018, a 34-year old paid-on-call/volunteer fire Captain died, and 

another firefighter was injured in a building explosion while responding to a report 

of a natural gas leak. 
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 3

Summary

• Fire department was dispatched for a report of gas odor at an 

intersection approximately 1 block away from the fire station.

• The initial arriving crew immediately began evacuating the surrounding 

buildings and the Incident Commander called for additional personnel to 

respond from the station. 

• A Captain and several other firefighters arrived following the staffing 

request.

• After checking in with the Incident Commander, the Captain, along with 

firefighters from the initial responding crew, entered a building near the 

suspected leak to control utilities in the basement. As the crew was 

exiting, the building exploded.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 4

Contributing Factors

• Sub-contractor performing unpermitted directional boring for 

underground utility

• Natural gas leak caused by directional boring

• Natural gas line explosion

• Responders working in blast radius at time of explosion

• Captain and crew entered building previously evacuated during primary 

search to attempt to control utilities
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 5

Key Recommendation

Fire departments should refer to the 2020 

Emergency Response Guidebook and operate 

outside of the hot zone once civilians are 

evacuated.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 6

Key Recommendation

Fire departments should ensure that Incident 

Commanders continuously evaluate the 

risk versus gain when making operational decisions 

during evacuation operations.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 7

Key Recommendation

Fire departments should ensure that firefighters are 

trained in situational awareness, personal safety, and 

accountability.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 8

Key Recommendation

Fire Departments should ensure that 

their members (and specifically their 

hazardous materials teams) 

are provided and trained in the latest 

tactics and equipment for detecting 

and responding to hazardous 

materials situations, including gas 

leaks.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 9

Key Recommendation

Governing municipalities (federal, state, 

regional, and local) should work with 

civilians to educate them on the hazards of 

gas leaks and the need to immediately 

evacuate when public safety workers (fire 

and police) direct them to do so.
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 10

CONTACT US

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP)

Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch 

Division of Safety Research 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

1000 Frederick Lane, M/S 1808 

Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-2888

FFFIPP website