Small Town News

Electrical short shoots flames from pipes

---

Several callers reported seeing flames coming from pipes at the construction site for the new pump station at Kneeland Park around noon on Saturday.

Shelton Fire Marshal Dave Salzer, an assistant chief with Fire District 5, said the flames were caused by an overheated extension cord supplying one of the pipes pumping groundwater out of the site. Fire crews responded and contacted staff from the Shelton Public Works Department who turned off the generators supplying the pumps. The contractor, Rodarte Construction of Auburn, was on the site Sunday and Monday morning making the necessary repairs.

City Engineer Mike Michael said staff met with the contractor on Sunday. He said the extension cord is a large, commercial cord and the contractor had changed out one of the pumps on Friday and things were working fine.

Then there was a short, with flames coming from one of the pipes. A small area next to the site was singed by the flames.

There was no delay in the project, Michael said. The pump was up and going on Sunday and work resumed Monday after groundwater was pumped from the site.



Copyright 2009 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Shelton-Mason County Journal