Abstract: On August 11, 1998, Employee #1, the owner of a boring company, and Employee #2, a crane operator, were boring under a highway. Employee #1 was in the jacking pit operating the boring machine, and Employee #2 was in the cab of his crane, which was positioned at the end of the pit. When the bore reached a depth of 48 ft, the head struck an 8 in. high pressure natural gas line. The gas vapors rose into the pit and were ignited by the exhaust of the boring machine. Employee #1 sustained burns on the back of his hands and arms, and on his back. Employee #2 suffered a fractured ankle when he leaped from the crane to escape the gas explosion and fire.