WASHINGTON, DC — A gas leak caused an explosion at a store next to a daycare center in Washington, DC on January 18. The daycare center was evacuated just minutes before the explosion occurred. Emergency crews received reports of the gas leak on Thursday morning, prompting the evacuation of buildings on the street.
The Fire and EMS Chief John A Donnelly reported that the explosion occurred about 20 minutes after the first 911 call. The blast knocked out the windows on the second floor of a two-story building and created a flash fire. A secondary explosion also occurred in a convenience store, causing it to collapse. Video footage shared by DC Fire and EMS showed the moment the explosion destroyed the store, sending debris flying across the street.
Fortunately, only one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Additionally, all 16 children who were safely evacuated from the daycare center were reunited with their parents shortly after the incident.
Firefighters believe that the gas leak was caused by a vehicle striking a gas meter attached to a building. They credited the swift action of the first arriving firefighters for saving lives during the 2nd Alarm gas explosion and fire.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and emergency preparedness in the event of a gas leak or explosion. It also highlights the critical role of emergency responders in mitigating the impact of such events.
Local authorities and utility companies may need to review safety measures and infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring the safety of residents and businesses in the area.