PITTSBURGH -- Dominion Peoples is continuing to assist authorities in the investigation into the cause of a natural gas explosion that damaged several homes on Mardi Gras Drive in Plum Borough, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.

Dominion's crews have worked around the clock and are still on the scene. Dominion will remain on the scene until the matter is resolved and gas service is restored to all customers. Dominion says that pipeline safety is its top priority and all efforts are being made to ensure public safety. Company crews are monitoring gas levels in the area.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed authority over the site and is heading up an investigation of the incident. Dominion is cooperating fully with the NTSB and all local and state authorities.

Forty-two customers are currently without gas service. Dominion, in cooperation with the Red Cross, has offered hotel accommodations for those customers for the duration of the outage. In addition, representatives of the Dominion's Customer Relations department are in the neighborhood Thursday addressing the residents' concerns and needs. A dedicated phone line has been set up for residents who are out of gas service or have any questions. That number is (800) 400-WARM (9276). Customers should select Option 4.

Dominion reports that there were no gas odor complaints in the days leading up to the incident. In May 2007, a service line leak survey was conducted and no leaks were found in the neighborhood.