Today, the investigation continues into what caused a massive explosion in a quiet Indianapolis community, resulting in two people dying and seven others injured as well as two homes being blown to bits and dozens of surrounding homes being seriously damaged. The latest reports are that natural gas lines and the home’s gas furnace are being targeted as the possible source of the tragedy.
Was there a gas leak? No one knows. However, one of the homes that was demolished in the blast did have furnace problems shortly before the event. The Shirley’s family home had their furnace break down and the weather forced them to a local hotel for the night; the furnace was repaired and the next thing that the Shirleys knew, their house was gone.
This was a severe explosion. Reports are that people felt ripples from the blast as far as three miles away. That’s a lot of natural gas to cause that big of a blast. Experts are on the scene, still trying to figure out exactly what happened.
However, knowing that there was a recent furnace problem and repair should give a warning to anyone with a gas furnace in their home.
While many may consider the biggest threat of a natural gas furnace to be carbon monoxide poisoning, it is true that gas leaks from the furnace itself as well as from gas lines leading from the municipal source to the house can be very dangerous because they can leak gas without anyone being aware of the gas leak.
Natural Gas Smells Bad: What To Do If You Smell Rotten Eggs in Your Home
If you smell gas in your home, do not light a flame. Do not operate any sort of electrical gadget – even your laptop or cell phone. Just leave. Go outside immediately and call the gas company or the fire department. If you can, turn off the gas at the meter.
Gas lines need to be inspected regularly by professionals. The Citizens Energy Group recommends the furnace be checked once a year. Gas lines in homes should be flexible. Gas lines need to be properly installed. Connectors are the metal hoses that connect the gas pipes to the gas appliances: these can be damaged in moving or bending and need to be carefully checked for leaking. Gas lines that come into homes are usually underground; it is possible for leaks to begin under the earth and build there.
We don’t know what caused that horrific explosion in Indianapolis yet; however, we do know that gas furnaces are necessary dangers in our homes. Make sure your furnace is checked, and make sure that the professional who is checking your gas appliance is qualified to do the work. Only qualified plumbers, HVAC, or appliance repair companies should be working on gas furnaces.
Check their credentials. Check how they warrant their work. Check reviews from past customers. And get your furnace checked in you haven’t had it inspected within the past 12 months.
