Get Off Fossil Fuels

Explosion in Gaithersburg

This morning, an explosion and fire in Gaithersburg injured at least 12 people, sending 10 people to the hospital, including 4 children.

Clean energy

Gas stove burners
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It's time to move away from gas for home heating and cooking.

This morning, an explosion and fire in Gaithersburg injured at least 12 people, sending 10 people to the hospital, including 4 children. 

We don’t yet know the cause of the explosion, but the ongoing fire is gas-fed and residents reported smelling gas in the morning.

Today’s horrific disaster is an all too frequent reminder that gas is an inherently dangerous way to power our homes and buildings. Gas disasters are far too familiar for Marylanders, with recent gas explosions in Montgomery County, Howard County, and Baltimore City resulting in loss of life, serious injury, displaced families and damage to homes and businesses.

In June, Maryland PIRG Foundation released a report on methane gas leaks, which found that frequent leaks result in death, injury and other damage to our health and environment.

Within the last decade there have been almost 2,600 gas pipeline incidents in the US, which is roughly one every 40 hours.

And really, the situation is far worse, since the federal government only tracks data for pipeline incidents, not incidents inside homes or buildings.

For information on what to do if you suspect a gas leak in your neighborhood, check out our tip guide and share with your friends and family. It has helpful tips on what to do and what NOT to do if you suspect a gas leak in your community.

 

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