Ohio explosion caused by cut gas line thought to be turned off, investigators say

The National Transportation Safety Board says a crew working in the basement area of an Ohio building intentionally cut a gas line not knowing it was pressurized before a deadly explosion this week. NTSB board member Tom Chapman said Friday that preliminary investigation shows workers were in the basement to clear out piping and other outdated infrastructure. He says workers knew there was a problem when they made the third cut. Workers then pulled the fire alarm and alerted people to evacuate. Investigators are working to determine why the pipe was pressurized. Tuesday’s explosion blew out much of the ground floor of Realty Tower, killing a bank employee and injuring several others.