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GARNER, N.C. – Complications from installing an industrial, gas-fired water heater caused the deadly explosion at the Garner ConAgra plant last Tuesday, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s initial report.

Federal investigators said Thursday that the week before the explosion, outside contractors had installed the water heater and a new natural gas line for it.

The day of the explosion, crews were trying to get the new equipment working.

“The CSB is examining the possibility that gases inside the line were likely purged and vented directly into the pump room, in the interior of the building, leading to a flammable gas cloud and an explosion,” CSB Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom said.

Investigators would not name the company that installed the water heater and purged the gas line, but two people injured in the explosion have filed a lawsuit against Southern Industrial Contractors.

However, an attorney representing that company said at the time of the explosion, no Southern Industrial employees were working on gas lines or water heaters.

Meanwhile, ConAgra officials announced Thursday that the plant will resume production in August in the portion of the building that wasn’t damaged in the explosion.

The Chemical Safety Board said it will likely take nine months to a year for them to issue their final report.

North Carolina’s Occupational Safety and Health Division must complete its investigation within six months. Investigators said the area of the plant where the explosion occurred is still too dangerous for anyone to go inside.