Mystery beach blast in Rhode Island blamed on hydrogen gas

After two weeks of digging and testing DEM and scientists at URI say they know what caused the bizarre blast at Salty Brine beach that sent a woman flying into a jetty.

They say the blast was very likely caused by the combustion of hydrogen gas built up because of a corroded copper cable under the sand that belonged to the Coast Guard.

"We believe hydrogen was produced near the event in the sand a few feet down. That hydrogen essentially bubbles up into the sand in an air zone to make a combustible mixture,” said Dr. Arthur Spivack an Oceanographer and URI Professor. "Following the removal of the wire and aeration of the sand to get rid of that combustion of hydrogen we think it's very unlikely to have another combustion event."

DEM officials emphasize that the beach is safe.

"Today we've swept the beach three times looking for cables. We've been out testing for hydrogen. In fact my team of emergency response were out today they took ten samples non of them detected any hydrogen,” said Janet Coit the Rhode Island DEM Director.

As for the wire left behind by the coast guard we’re told that it is standard procedure to abandon in place.

Lt. Commander Brian Maggie told ABC 6 News that to the best of his knowledge nothing like this has every happened before.

He also adds that the Coast Guard is conducting their own investigation.

And, as to whether there are any other cables in and around Rhode Island Maggie say the Coast Guard is looking into it.

(C) WLNE 2015