CHANDLER, Ariz. — No foul play has been found in the investigation into the Aug. 26 explosion at a Chandler strip mall print shop that seriously injured four men, according to the Chandler Police Department.
"The leak and massive explosion was because of the roof being blown up into the sky 15 to 75 feet or so," Don Deaver explained.
Deaver, is the president of Deatech Consulting Company. He specializes in pipeline, natural gas, and oil and gas explosions. With more than 50 years of experience in oil and gas safety incidents, this one, he said, shocks him.
"A true detonation, like dynamite it wasn't dynamite but you can have that type of explosion with natural gas inside a building," he added.
The explosion was caused by an unintentional natural gas leak, according to police.
"The findings by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) National Response Team and investigative partners determined that the explosion was caused by an unintentional natural gas leak ignited by an independent ignition source," stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Gabriel Pinon in a press release from Chandler police.
Deaver said the device that determines rising pressure may have been faulty, thus leading to an unexpected explosion.
"If the pressure breaks the piping inside the building, and the building will fill up in less than a minute, then there's an explosion because there are multiple ignition sources inside the building," Deaver said.
After the investigation was completed, the building was turned over to the Property Management Company, what they plan to do with it is yet to be determined.
Any questions regarding natural gas services, contact Southwest Gas Corporate Communications Manager Sean Corbett at 702-960-6567.