This JUST happened on Long Island... note - the building has no natural gas
service, but a leak followed a water main into the basement.


Explosion collapses car dealership in Huntington Station; nine injured


Play the video (10/12/04) HUNTINGTON STATION - There was an explosion at the
Habberstad Nissan car dealership at 850 East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington
Station late Tuesday afternoon. Fire officials are speculating that a natural
gas leak caused the blast, but they are still trying to determine the exact
cause.
The building partially collapsed, and some of the debris fell onto Jericho
Turnpike. The road was closed overnight.

Firefighters say all the people working in the dealership were able to safely
escape. Nine people suffered minor injuries, and five of them have already been
released from Huntington Hospital.

Police, arson squads, K-9 units and ambulances responded to the scene, and
emergency workers are still at the scene investigating the cause.


Investigators say gas leak to blame for Huntington Station dealership blast


Play the video (10/13/04) HUNTINGTON STATION €“ Investigators say they have
discovered the cause of an explosion that destroyed part of the Habberstad car
dealership in Huntington Station.
According to authorities, a natural gas leak was at the heart of the blast.
Keyspan Energy officials say an oil burner ignited the released gas and caused
the explosion.

Nine people were hurt, none seriously, when the incident occurred on Jericho
Turnpike Tuesday afternoon. The collapse occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday and forced authorities to close the turnpike. Firefighters, police
officials, medical workers and some Good Samaritans helped pull people from the
building to safety.

Jericho Turnpike was reopened Wednesday morning.

The blast leveled part of the car dealership.

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From:


Hey guys just a word of caution. I been in the utility constrution business
over 30 years as an equipment operator. People that don't have gas in their
houses think they are safe from a gas exposion. This just isnt true. Over
the
years I have seen / heard of a couple of instances where houses were blown
off
their foundations from gas and they didn't even have gas in their houses.
What
happens is this. A crew digging in the street strikes a gas line. The proper
why to handle this is to rip it all the way out so the gas escapes into the
air
until it can be shut down. But what happens a lot is the crew hits the pipe
and
doesnt think they do any damage to it. They finish their work and backfill
the
trench. Meanwhile gas can be escaping from anywhere along the pipe that got a
little tug. What happens is the gas will follow the path of least resistance
and this can be a couple of things. It has been known to follow up the water
service line trench of peoples houses that dont have gas. They come home and
smell gas but say we dont have gas it cant be gas. Then the furnace cycles or
they flip a switch, good night Irene. It can also follow up the trench from
a
swer connection and leak into a basement around the castiron pipe where it
comes thru the floor or wall. I'm telling you this because if you do come
home
and smell gas be aware that this can happen and call 911 or gas company from
a
neighbors house. They will come out immediately. Tell your kids too!
Natural gas is pretty safe as it is lighter then air. Propane on the other
hand
is heavier then air and collects in the low spots of your home. This is far
more dangerous. Just a little info for you non gas users.