10 major gas leaks found after Woodbridge blast

Updated

Washington Gas spokesman Jim Monroe spoke to us about the ongoing work in Marumsco Hills, and about a town hall meeting held to address concerns after the February 7 explosion at a home on Franklin Street.

Senator Jeremy McPike held the town hall meeting, and on Monday told Potomac Local some residents called Washington Gas to report the smell of natural gas before the explosion. The comments come on the heels of an investigation by the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department, Washington Gas, and Virginia State Corporation Commission.

“We respond to all odor complaints,” said Monroe. “The work history and response in days preceding the February 7 event will all be part of investigation, all questions will be answered, and it’s premature for me to comment on the results of the investigation before it’s complete.”

Monroe spoke about the utility’s plan to replace 800 gas lines in Marumsco Hills — something he said the company is not required to do.

“We’re doing it proactively,” said Monore.

Washington Gas expects permits for the replacement project to be issued within two to three months. A replacement project like this could take 12 to 18 months.

“It’s a significant project,” said Monroe.

Original post

The Woodbridge home that exploded after a reported gas leak didn’t have working gas service.

A new report from the Virginia State Corporation Commission called the “Franklin Street Accident” notes natural gas lines leading to the ill fated sustained major corrosion before the explosion and were not connected to the structure. Two other lines sustained minor corrosion damage before the explosion.

Officials said gas leaked from the lines into the ground and subsequently into the house before it exploded.

A group of firefighters called to the house at 3:03 p.m. February 7 for a report of a gas leak just made it out of the house unharmed before the house exploded. The explosion shattered the windows of the house, and nerves of neighbors.

Sen. Jeremy McPike held a town hall on February 20 about the explosion, and about the ongoing investigation and repair work in the affected neighborhood. Ten major leaks and 15 minor leaks were discovered in the neighborhood following the blast, said McPike.

The utility plans to replace gas lines to up to 800 homes in the neighborhood this spring and summer. Since the explosion, crews have sprawled out across the Marumsco Hills neighborhood and surveyed 1,100 homes, punching holes in streets and inspecting old gas lines, according to McPike. 

Washington Gas has not returned a request for comment on this story.

Several complaints from neighbors to public officials prompted Saturday’s town hall meeting. Several complaints from neighbors to Washington Gas noting they could smell gas apparently fell on deaf ears, said McPike.

“There’s a loss of faith in thier response, and Washington Gas now understands they need to communcate better,” said McPike. “We need to find out what is wrong and how this happened, so it doesn’t happen again.”

An investigation into the incident continues. It involves Washington Gas, the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department, and the Virginia State Corporation Commission.