Strip Club blows up

[jimmy olsen]

Languish pun smiths, don't fail me now. 

usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/25/15431811-human-error-blamed-for-gas-explosion-that-damaged-more-than-40-buildings-in-springfield-mass?lite

By NBC News staff and news services

A powerful natural gas explosion that leveled a strip club, damaged 41 other buildings and injured about 20 people in Springfield, Mass., was triggered when a utility worker accidentally punctured a pipe, authorities announced on Sunday.

"Human error ... is what the cause of the explosion was," Massachusetts Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said at an afternoon news conference.

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Officials said a worker for Columbia Gas Co., responding to a call Friday evening about a gas odor in a building on Worthington Street in the city's entertainment district, was using a metal probe to try to find the leak. He accidentally punctured an underground pipeline, causing gas to rush out, and an unknown spark triggered the powerful explosion.

The blast flattened Scores Gentlemen's Club, heavily damaged a day care center, shattered windows and scattered debris over several blocks. Scores and other area buildings had been evacuated before the blast, according to The Republican newspaper.

Some officials called it a miracle that no one was killed.

Most of the injured were part of a group of gas workers, firefighters and police officers who ducked for cover behind a utility truck just before the blast. Part of the neighborhood already had been evacuated because of reports of a gas leak and odor.

Preliminary reports showed the blast damaged a total of 42 buildings housing 115 residential units. Three buildings were immediately condemned, and 24 others require additional inspections by structural engineers to determine whether they are safe, according to The Associated Press.

Roughly 20 people were injured. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Springfield, which is 90 miles west of Boston and has about 150,000 residents, is the largest city in western Massachusetts. It's known as the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame, which is not near the blast site.

The city has been rebuilding from damage caused by a tornado in June 2011.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Ed Anger]

Tldr

[Alcibiades]

Tldr

You've become what you hate.

[CountDeMoney]

The blast flattened Scores Gentlemen's Club, heavily damaged a day care center,

See?  You can get affordable care for single moms.

[HVC]

The blast flattened Scores Gentlemen's Club, heavily damaged a day care center,

See?  You can get affordable care for single moms.

No, no honey, don't worry about it i'll take the kids to day care.

[sbr]

Yeah I bet it was a "punctured pipe" that did it.

[Josquius]

this week's dexter? ive not seen it yet

[DGuller]

this week's dexter? ive not seen it yet

[garbon]

I'm reminded of the discussion of non-news items.

[Razgovory]

I'm reminded of the discussion of non-news items.

Yeah, and look who created the thread.

[derspiess]

Is FEMA going to step in & offer emergency stripping services during the clean-up and rebuilding?

[frunk]

Government issue strippers, bleh.

[derspiess]

Government issue strippers, bleh.

Good point.  The paperwork is probably the least concern.

[CountDeMoney]

Government issue strippers, bleh.

Good point.  The paperwork is probably the least concern.

Damned AFSCME.

[KRonn]

Preliminary reports showed the blast damaged a total of 42 buildings housing 115 residential units. Three buildings were immediately condemned, and 24 others require additional inspections by structural engineers to determine whether they are safe, according to The Associated Press. 

Sheesh, the blast did a lot of damage! So why is a  strip club so close to so many residential buildings? I'd think zoning regs would prevent that. But hey, at least the club's workers didn't have a long commute!

Amazing that there were no serious injuries.