3:00 p.m. update-- Fire Investigators blame "altered gas service lines" as the cause of the release of natural gas into the house that eventually exploded.
There is an on-going investigation into who may have altered these gas service lines and that if the person responsible is identified then civil and/or criminal charges could be possible.
The structure is a total loss and estimated at $200,000. The Washington Gas Company records indicate that the gas meter was removed and service stopped to this house in May 2006. An unknown person altered the gas service lines to allow natural gas service into the house.
The Washington Gas Company is assisting Fire Investigators in this on-going investigation.
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Prince George's County Firefighters and Paramedics were alerted to a 911 report of a house explosion in Capitol Heights this morning.
At about 8:30 AM, Thursday, July 13, 2006, the property owner at 911 Nova Avenue reported to the Washington Gas Company an odor of natural gas. At about 8:45 AM, fire/EMS units were dispatched to the report of an explosion.
Upon arrival, firefighters and paramedics encountered a 1-story single family home that was completely demolished with a small amount of fire visible. Nobody was in the house when the explosion occurred and there were no reported injuries despite several nearby houses sustaining some type of damage.
Fire Investigators are currently conducting a through investigation into the cause and origin of the explosion. While it is believed that the presence of natural gas was involved in the explosion, the exact source and role of the natural gas is not yet known.
The property owner has stated that work was recently performed on the furnace, however, that is only one possible cause that Fire Investigators will be looking into.
Update
Fire Investigators blame "altered gas service lines" as the cause of the release of natural gas into the house that eventually exploded. There is an on-going investigation into who may have altered these gas service lines and that if the person responsible is identified then civil and/or criminal charges could be possible. The structure is a total loss and estimated at $200,000. The Washington Gas Company records indicate that the gas meter was removed and service stopped to this house in May 2006. An unknown person altered the gas service lines to allow natural gas service into the house. The Washington Gas Company is assisting Fire Investigators in this on-going investigation.
