BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WCTV) - The City of Bainbridge could face a $10,000 fine for allegedly failing to properly report a flash fire and gas leak, according to the Georgia Public Service Commission.

The report alleges the city failed to report the incident and did not do a failure investigation.

According to the PSC report, a flash fire occurred at the Landmark Apartment complex on April 28 when a resident tried to light a cigarette in the bathroom. She suffered burns and was in the burn unit at an Atlanta hospital for nearly two weeks, according to the report.

On April 29, the City of Bainbridge, the natural gas operator for the property, was notified of the smell of gas behind the building where the fire occurred. Over 30 residents were evacuated from several buildings at the complex.

The report shows Bainbridge Gas Technicians found accumulations of gas inside several apartments and an underground leak on the gas main located behind one of the buildings.

According to the PSC, the commission was not notified of the incident until receiving an open records request asking for all documents related to a gas leak at the property in June.

More news out of South Georgia:

The commission found that the city was in violation of safety standards, specifically failing to notify the National Response Center and Commission within an hour of “confirmed discovery of an incident involving in-patient hospitalization.”

The “immediate notice of certain incidents” is required for incidents including the release of gas from a pipeline, death or personal injury involving in-patient hospitalization or property damage of more than $122,000.

The PSC’s investigation “indicated that the City of Bainbridge Gas Department either failed to recognize or failed to acknowledge” the incident and “failed to perform a failure investigation as required,” another alleged violation.

The City of Bainbridge said this was “not a reportable incident,” according to the report. The PSC believe the City’s listing significant events required to report is “too generalized for their system.”

The city now faces a fine of $10,000, $5,000 for each alleged violation.

“Generally, an operator can pay the fine and explain what they will do to prevent similar problems in the future or they can request an informal meting with the investigators to explain their side of the incident,” GPSC said. “If the operator is not satisfied with the investigators’ actions, the operator can request a formal hearing at the PSC.”

According to the PSC, the city has 30 days to respond to the report.

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