Dozens Evacuated After Home Explosion in Centreville

Fire officials say over 51 homes remain evacuated as crews investigate gas leaks in the area.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A home explosion and fire in Centreville, Virginia on Sunday night has led to the evacuation of dozens of homes in the neighborhood. Fire officials say more than 51 homes remain evacuated as crews from Washington Gas and Williams Pipeline evaluate the gas lines and pipes to determine the cause of the leaks. No one was seriously injured in the incident, but one resident had to escape and sustained minor injuries.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked fears over additional gas leaks in the neighborhood, raising concerns about public safety and the reliability of the local gas infrastructure. The evacuation has also disrupted the lives of dozens of families, highlighting the impact of such emergencies on local communities.

The details

The initial explosion and fire on Quail Pond Court prompted the evacuation of 21 homes on Sunday night. As of Monday afternoon, fire officials said that more than 51 homes had been evacuated. Crews from Washington Gas and Williams Pipeline are on the scene evaluating the gas lines and pipes to determine the cause of the leaks. Depending on their findings, families may not be able to return to their homes for one day or several days.

  • The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • As of Monday afternoon, February 17, 2026, more than 51 homes remained evacuated.

The players

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD)

The local fire department that responded to the incident and is coordinating the ongoing investigation and evacuation efforts.

Washington Gas

The utility company that is evaluating the gas lines and pipes in the neighborhood to determine the cause of the leaks.

Williams Pipeline

The pipeline company that is also assisting in the investigation of the gas leaks in the area.

Ed Gonzalez

A resident in the neighborhood who helped guide his neighbor to safety after the explosion.

Natasha Orter

A resident who evacuated with her husband and three children around midnight on Sunday.

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What they’re saying

“We just heard a big boom, and we checked the back, and we came out the front. We just see a big ball of fire, and we run out.”

— Ed Gonzalez, Resident (wjhl.com)

“The gentleman in the house that was burning, he was on the corner of the deck and I ran straight to him, told him to, 'Jump, jump!' He jumped. I kind of broke his fall.”

— Ed Gonzalez, Resident (wjhl.com)

“We'll just have to wait and see what they do, what they find. I'm hoping it's a day or two, but I don't know, I've never been in this situation before.”

— Natasha Orter, Resident (wjhl.com)

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board has assumed investigative authority over the incident, and fire officials are continuing to monitor the surrounding area for any additional gas leaks.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining reliable and safe gas infrastructure in residential neighborhoods, as well as the need for effective emergency response and evacuation protocols to protect public safety in the event of such incidents.