Two South Strabane Homes Test Positive For Methane

SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. — Officials went door to door in a Washington County neighborhood after two homes tested positive for methane last week. According to the South Strabane Fire Department, 42 homes along Scout Drive in South Strabane Township were metered after a confirmed methane release in two homes on the street. The department said they received no positive results in any of the other homes. Columbia Gas notified the fire department Friday gas was detected on Scout during a routine metering the week before. The gas company monitored the situation and noted positive readings inside a home. They notified Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and South Strabane Fire and Emergency Services. Columbia Gas sent samples for testing, according to the department, and they don’t believe it’s natural gas at this point. The samples are believed to include low levels of methane, a colorless, odorless, potentially explosive gas. The department said the state DEP will continue to investigate.