Midland, TX – The explosion and subsequent fire earlier this month at a building on South Midkiff Road was believed to be caused by a natural gas leak, according to the Midland Fire Department.
The investigation into the fire that occurred about 10 a.m. Jan. 9 revealed that natural gas was ignited by a central gas-fired furnace located adjacent to the room that is believed to be the source of the leak, according to a press release from the city. Investigators suspect that the gas originated from a buried service line located in the alley behind the building.
Employees of nearby businesses said they smelled natural gas earlier in the day. Gas vapors were discovered leaking through existing cracks in the building’s concrete foundation, and gas also was discovered coming through the alley asphalt paving, according to the release.
The building –which housed several small businesses and storage spaces — was severely damaged by both the explosion and the fire.