A recent update on the fire outbreak which gutted through an electric vault, under First Avenue and Washington Streets last year, in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, ascertained no violations.

At least two workers were gravely affected last year by the fire, described as an explosion. A worker at the APS electric vault, Ricardo “Rico” Castillo lost his life in the outbreak, while another was injured on Saturday, June 30, 2019.

Firefighters reported to the scene after discovering a large amount of fire emerging from an APS manhole at about 10:30 p.m. on the night of the incident. Investigations into the downtown Phoenix explosion have been in the works ever since.

Recent updates on the incident released by the Arizona Industrial Commission, tasked with ensuring worksite safety, confirmed that the company, APS, was not guilty of violating any worksite safety standards. According to the released report, the deceased employee accidentally grabbed the wrong line, resulting in the explosion.

The company’s policy allowed employees to only work on de-energized wires, which were usually de-energized two days before making contact with them. A spokesperson for the industrial commission disclosed that Rico handled the live line, thinking it was the de-energized one he wanted to work on.

Other APS employees noted that the line was not confirmed as verified, contrary to the work scope requirement that forbade workers from handling wires unless verified. The two electricians involved in the outbreak were aware of the policy, as they were briefed beforehand by the job site foreman, as per work principles.

A representative of the Electrical Workers Union, as well as the Business Manager of IBEW Local 387, both agreed with the conclusions of the investigations into the 2019 summer APS electric vault fire explosion.

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