Gas Leak Prompts Evacuations and Investigation in Centreville, Virginia
Centreville, Virginia, is grappling with a significant gas leak that has forced the evacuation of over 45 homes as crews work tirelessly to locate the source. The situation unfolded late Sunday night following a powerful explosion that leveled a residence on Quail Pond Court, leaving residents shaken and authorities scrambling to determine the cause.
The Initial Explosion and Evacuation
Firefighters swiftly evacuated dozens of homes after the explosion, which injured two individuals. One resident managed to escape with minor injuries after jumping from his back deck, aided by a quick-thinking neighbor. Another neighbor sustained minor injuries as well. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with authorities currently unable to confirm whether it was directly triggered by the gas leak.
“You know, it’s been tough. You know, the kids are spooked. We’re shaken a little bit but, you know, just happy that no loss of life right now,” shared Greg Malanga, a resident whose family was among those evacuated. His wife, Jenna Malanga, described the experience as “extremely” frightening, especially with a 4-week-old infant and two toddlers.
Search for the Leak and Town Hall Meeting
Neighbors had reported smelling natural gas throughout the weekend prior to the explosion. Currently, Washington Gas and the Williams Pipeline Corporation are actively digging at multiple sites to pinpoint the leak. The area is crisscrossed by six gas lines, ranging in diameter from 2 to 42 inches, making the search complex and time-consuming. The timeline for repairs and allowing residents to return home depends heavily on the size of the leaking pipe.
A town hall meeting was held Tuesday morning, providing residents with updates from fire department and gas company officials. However, information remained limited due to the ongoing investigation. “It’s an active investigation so there’s just not a lot of forthcoming information at this point,” stated Natasha Oerter, a concerned resident. “We want to know what happened. We want to know how long this is, you know, are we safe; is our home safe?”
Potential Expansion of Evacuation Zone
Authorities are preparing for the possibility of expanding the evacuation zone. Assistant Chief of Operations Eric Craven of the Fairfax County Fire Department warned that, in a worst-case scenario, the evacuation radius could extend to a quarter-mile from the leak, potentially impacting another 100 homes. The fire department is continuously monitoring natural gas levels in the evacuation zone, reporting a downward trend.
Recent Incidents and Ongoing Concerns
This incident follows a similar gas-fed fire that destroyed a home in the Franconia area on February 1st. While Washington Gas was on the scene, they have yet to provide a statement regarding a potential connection to the Centreville leak. Some residents, like Terri Haynes, expressed pre-existing concerns about gas leaks, having contacted Washington Gas multiple times in the past year.
Investigation and Updates
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation and is expected to release a statement Tuesday night. More than 340 people have signed up for text alerts to receive updates on the situation. Over 80 homes remain without natural gas service as the search continues.
For more information and updates, you can visit the NBC Washington website.
