This happened in Rochester in 1951. My mom was a public health nurse and was sent to the fire station to help treat the injured.
"On Sept. 21, 1951, three people died, 40 were injured, 19 houses were destroyed and 25 others seriously damaged after an explosion in a gas-pressure regulating station at the Twelve Corners allowed natural gas to flow into houses at a much higher pressure than normal.
Shortly after 1:15 p.m., houses began exploding in rapid sequence in the Meadowbrook, Roselawn and Bel-Air tracts.
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Could it happen again?
No, RG&E officials have since explained, because of improved gas regulators in houses and better regulators and relief valves in the distribution system."
http://media.democratandchronicle.co...gas-explosions