Abstract: At approximately 9:30 a.m. on May 17, 1994, employees of the Eastern Shore Gas Co. were attempting to locate a 3/4 inch service main gas line in Pocomoke City, Maryland. They dug a 2 foot by 4 foot by 24 inch trench that contained a 3/4 inch galvanized line. Employee #1 cut the line with a hacksaw to determine whether it was a gas line or a water line. Upon confirming the line was a gas line, Employee #1 made a second cut approximately 12 inches up the pipe. A coworker was at the upwind end of the trench and Employee #1 was at the downwind end of the trench when an explosion occurred and a fire ensued. At ignition, Employee #1 had cut about 90 percent through the pipe. The coworker was not injured. Employee #1 suffered first- and second-degree burns about the face. He was treated and released from PGMH.