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Thirty-five Centreville homes remained under evacuation orders Wednesday as investigators searched for a natural gas leak that may have contributed to Sunday’s house explosion on Quail Pond Court.
The National Transportation Safety Board said testing of pipeline infrastructure around the destroyed home will likely continue through the end of the week.
Dozens of people reported smelling gas near the home in the 14000 block of Quail Pond Court before it exploded Sunday evening. An occupant escaped through a window and was caught by a neighbor. Both suffered minor injuries and were released after hospital treatment.
Officials found a natural gas leak nearby, launched a hazardous-materials response and initially evacuated about 46 homes.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief of Operations Eric Craven said investigators detected a loss of pressure while testing a section of pipe with air. That indicates the pipeline probably leaked when it contained natural gas, but officials have not determined whether it caused the explosion.
The affected distribution line runs along Belle Plains Drive and is operated by Washington Gas. Transmission lines on an easement across from the destroyed house are owned and maintained by Williams Pipeline.
Washington Gas will continue locating and repairing leaks connected to the pressure loss. Craven said that work could take at least 48 hours.
Pat Warren, director of the NTSB’s Office of Rail, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations, said the agency is working with local officials to establish the accident’s probable cause, develop safety recommendations and help prevent similar incidents. A final report is expected in 12 to 24 months.
Footage released Wednesday by Fairfax County Fire and Rescue showed crews confronting heavy fire and extensive damage, searching for occupants, securing utilities and establishing a unified command. The NTSB is leading the investigation.
Residents face an uncertain return
First responders found gas concentrations at four nearby homes that officials said were high enough to pose the risk of a similar incident. Firefighters have continued checking homes along the pipeline door to door.
Gas readings have been falling, and several families were permitted to return Tuesday night. Craven said 11 homes located well away from the affected area were deemed safe for reoccupation.
Residents of the remaining 35 evacuated homes cannot return until every leak is located and repaired, the distribution lines are confirmed to be intact and firefighters verify normal atmospheric readings on every floor.
Under the best-case scenario, most displaced families could begin returning no sooner than 48 hours after Wednesday’s briefing. The timing depends on what Washington Gas finds and the conditions crews encounter.
Washington Gas said Tuesday that it was supporting the emergency response and offering hotel accommodations to displaced residents.
Anyone with video, surveillance recordings or other information about the incident can contact investigators at witness@ntsb.gov.