A state investigation shows that ULHP employees' failure to turn off a gas main before doing work at Glenn O. Swing Elementary School in Covington caused the June 6 explosion that injured the two workers.

        The show cause order issued to Cinergy, the parent company of ULHP, alleges two violations, said Andrew Melnykovych, director of communications for the Kentucky Public Service Commission. The PSC regulates most of the state's public utilities.

        The two violations could carry a $25,000 fine each.

        “They vented a hazardous amount of gas into the atmosphere without a fire extinguisher present. The two employees did not follow standard practices for conducting the type of work they were conducting,”' Mr. Melnykovych said.

        The explosion that ignited a fire at the school occurred as the two workers were repairing a gas meter at the school on 19th Street. The explosion and subsequent fire in a mechanical room near the cafeteria blew out part of the school's wall, causing extensive fire and smoke damage.

        The incident did not stop the school's 350 students from returning to class on time Aug. 19.

        Cinergy spokesman Steve Brash said the company had not received a copy of the citation by Thursday, and as a result he could not comment on the case.

        However, he said, “We do take these things very seriously, and when we receive it we will do a complete review and prepare a response for the commission.”

        Mr. Melnykovych summarized the violations as “a failure to follow safety practices.” The two employees were interviewed as part of the investigation.

        Terry Wardlow, 45, of Northside suffered third-degree burns to one arm and was burned on his face, back, chest and other arm. Lee Williams, 48, of Groesbeck, sustained minor burns.

        “Any time there's an incident that results in injury and major property damage, I would characterize it as serious,” said Mr. Melnykovych, adding that the nearby area was not at an explosion risk.

        This is the only ULHP safety-related case currently being investigated by the PSC, a search of the agency's records showed.

        Covington Independent Schools and the city of Covington are not currently parties to the PSC.

        Covington schools officials could not be reached Thursday evening.

        Union Light Heat and Power has 20 days to issue a written response to the show cause order and must appear at a Nov. 4 hearing in Frankfort to answer the charges, which are based on federal regulations.

        The company does have the option to settle the charges in an informal conference before the hearing date.

        The Kentucky Public Service Commission is a three-member administrative body with some legislative and judicial duties and powers involving regulation of nearly 600 conventional utilities.

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