FIRESTONE, Colo. (AP) - The company that owns a gas well linked to a fatal home explosion in Colorado says it will permanently shut down that well and two others in the neighborhood.
Anadarko Petroleum announced the shut-down Wednesday in Firestone, where an April 17 explosion killed two people. Investigators blamed the explosion on unrefined, odorless natural gas from a severed 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) pipeline.
The pipeline was thought to be out of service, but investigators say it was still connected to a well near the home.
During Wednesday night's meeting with Oak Meadows residents, Colorado Oil and Gas Commission officials reported they had tested vapor methane samples from May 5 to May 12 and found a new gas pocket not too far from the deadly home explosion took place.
The percent volume of methane volume levels was reported to be above 60 percent, COGC officials said during a presentation to residents.
The image below shows you where the new gas pocket was found (left) and how far it is from where the home explosion happened (right):
Anadarko says it believes the three wells are safe but is shutting them down because of the "special circumstances and sensitivity surrounding this equipment."
Anadarko also says it will pay for natural gas detectors for neighborhood residents.
Federal, state and local authorities are investigating.