Crews Search for Source of Centreville Gas Leak After Home Explosion

Dozens of homes remain evacuated as authorities work to locate the leak's origin point.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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More than 24 hours after a home explosion in Centreville, Virginia, crews are still searching for the source of a gas leak in the area. As of midday Tuesday, 46 homes remain evacuated as Washington Gas and the Williams Pipeline Corporation work to track down the exact location of the leak, which has left over 80 homes without natural gas service.

Why it matters

The home explosion and ongoing gas leak have raised concerns about public safety in the Centreville community, with authorities warning that residents may be kept out of their homes for up to 72 hours as the investigation continues. The incident has also highlighted the challenges of locating and repairing complex gas infrastructure issues.

The details

Firefighters quickly evacuated dozens of homes late Sunday night after an apparent explosion leveled a home on Quail Pond Court. A man who lived at the home managed to escape with only minor injuries after jumping off of his back deck, and a neighbor also suffered minor injuries. More than 80 homes in the area are still without natural gas service as crews work to pinpoint the leak, which could be coming from one of six gas lines in the area ranging from 2 to 42 inches in diameter.

  • The explosion occurred late Sunday night, just before 10 p.m.
  • As of midday Tuesday, 46 homes remain evacuated, down from 51 on Monday.
  • Authorities say residents may be kept out of their homes for up to 72 hours as the investigation continues.

The players

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

The fire department is continuing to monitor natural gas levels in the evacuation zone and assisting with the investigation.

Washington Gas

The gas company is digging at multiple sites in an effort to find the source of the leak.

Williams Pipeline Corporation

The company, which owns some of the gas lines in the area, is also involved in the effort to locate the leak.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The federal agency has assumed authority over the investigation into the explosion and gas leak.

Veronika Simon

A resident who described hearing a loud explosion and seeing a red sky after the incident.

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What they’re saying

“It just sounded like a loud explosion and then the sky was red.”

— Veronika Simon, Resident (nbcwashington.com)

“He was on his back deck and they told him to just jump, and I think the younger neighbor caught him and helped him get out of the yard safely.”

— Natasha Oerter, Neighbor (nbcwashington.com)

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to give a statement about its investigation into the explosion and gas leak on Tuesday night.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of robust gas infrastructure maintenance and the need for quick emergency response to protect public safety in the event of a gas leak or explosion. The ongoing investigation will likely provide valuable lessons for improving gas leak detection and emergency protocols in Centreville and similar communities.