When i was growing up something similar happened in our town - over pressure caused by connecting a high pressure gas line to the local supply - police closed off the whole town and a few bits and pieces blew up/caught fire.
That was human error rather than failing infrastructure.
My initial thought in this case, before hearing about the underinvestment by the utility company, was SCADA kit tampering/hacking. Running the pressure slightly high would be a very similar approach to the spinning of centrifuges at slightly over speed - not immediately detectable but with serious consequences. Judging by the comments on this thread it looks more like ineptitude/negligence by the utility.
http://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-...
That was human error rather than failing infrastructure.
My initial thought in this case, before hearing about the underinvestment by the utility company, was SCADA kit tampering/hacking. Running the pressure slightly high would be a very similar approach to the spinning of centrifuges at slightly over speed - not immediately detectable but with serious consequences. Judging by the comments on this thread it looks more like ineptitude/negligence by the utility.