Reported outside gas leak becomes inside leak, then house fire in Woodbridge

Volunteer firefighters from the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the report of an outside gas leak at the 14000 block of Franklin and Longview Drive, Woodbridge, at 3:03 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, according to a news release.

OWL VFD crews arrived on scene within minutes, and the call was upgraded to an inside gas leak.

Crews investigated to find high levels of gas in the initial residence.  As crews were exiting the home, an explosion blew out the windows and created a fireball that ripped thru the basement. 

The call was immediately upgraded to a house fire.

Fire in the utility room was extinguished quickly, and there were no injuries. All surrounding houses were checked for gas levels.  Fire and Rescue units from OWL VFD, Dale City VFD, Quantico, PWC Department of Fire and Rescue and Prince William County Police Department responded to the incident.

Crews remained on scene while Washington Gas determined the cause of the leak.  Damage estimate is still pending.

“Do not hesitate to call 911 if you smell gas in your home,” OWL VFD Chief Jim McAllister was quoted saying in a press release.  “Evacuate your home until crews can determine it is safe to go back inside.  Although most calls turn out to be minor, serious injury and even death can occur in a gas-related incident,” the chief added.