- Natural gas is dangerous if not properly maintained.
- Over time natural gas lines degrade and corrode.
- Leave your house if you smell a strong gas odor.
- Gas companies and/or home appliance manufacturers may be liable for natural gas fires.
As a result of an increase in homes being equipped with natural gas lines, house fires are on the rise. Now days it is common to find stoves, fire places, and water heaters that run on natural gas within family homes. Some people have even converted to natural gas from electricity. This could be because in some cases natural gas may be cheaper, it can be more efficient, and it may be easier to use. Whatever the benefit it is, every consumer should be aware that natural gas is dangerous if not properly maintained.
Natural Gas Lines May Leak
It is well known that any form of gas is highly flammable. As a result, when using gas, you must use extreme caution. This is true with natural gas as well. Natural Gas is formed from fossil fuel. It originates from plants and animals that were in existence millions of years ago. It is extracted from ancient reservoirs found beneath Earth’s surface. Before being delivered to a consumer’s home, in most cases, the extracted natural gas will be processed to remove impurities. After the natural gas has been purified, it will be a colorless and odorless gas. However, before gas is delivered to a consumer, it is mixed with a chemical to ensure that it has a strong odor. One purpose of including a chemical odor is for safety. The chemical odor allows a consumer to sense when natural gas is present in the air. In most cases, if a person can smell natural gas in a house, it may be a sign that there is a natural gas leak.
Natural Gas Lines Degrade and Corrode
As does any old pipe, natural gas pipes are susceptible to degradation and corrosion. Degradation and corrosion of a pipe may cause gas leaks, exposing natural gas to the air we breathe. This is especially dangerous when leaks are found in enclosed areas, such as homes. If undetected, a gas leak in a home could be devastating. Any spark or flame could ignite the exposed fumes causing a fire or explosion. Such accident can lead to thousands of dollars of damage, severe injuries, and tragically, the loss of a life.
Natural Gas Combined With a Failed Home Appliance
In most cases, it is often too late to suspect a problem. This is because when there is a natural gas leak, the natural gas material is often the first material that will ignite. As a result, most fires that involve natural gas originate as an explosion, leaving no time for residents to escape the blast. In the event that the fire is a result of a leak that is caused by improper maintenance, service, or installation, the gas company may be liable for damages, including but not limited to damages to the property, injuries to individuals, and in some circumstances, the wrongful death of a loved one.
In other situations, home appliances, such as stoves, may cause a natural gas leak. In a typical scenario, a stove pilot light will go out, releasing natural gas into the surrounding area. If you attempt to re-light the pilot light without ventilating the room, the natural gas may ignite and cause an explosion. If the root of the leak is a home appliance, the appliance manufacturer may be liable.
Avoid the Risk
In any event, if you ever sense the presence of a strong natural gas odor, you should:
- open the windows and ventilate the area as much as possible;
- not turn on or off electrical switches; and
- ensure that the burners on your stove are off.
If the odor remains, you should leave the premises and call your local gas company. Although it may be something minor, it is not worth risking your life to fix a leak on your own.
Written by*:
Jorge Mares
WATTS GUERRA, LLP
4 Dominion Drive, Bldg 3, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Phone (210) 447-0500
Email: jmares@guerrallp.com
*This information is provided to supply relevant information concerning natural gas fires, and should not be received as legal advice. Legal advice is only given to persons or entities with whom Watts Guerra LLP has established an attorney-client relationship. Available remedies vary from case to case and depend on the underlying facts of each. If you have another lawyer, you should consult with your own attorney, and rely upon his or her advice, rather than the information contained herein.
© Watts Guerra LLP 2015
