Those who live with gas, if suspected leak has been found would you have concern? (apartments)

[Bruins3445]

We noticed a strong gas odor in our apartment. We don't pay for gas (included in rent so I don't have the phone number or company name) so I immediately called the management company (on premises) to alert them to call gas co and said I would be calling fire dept when I got off the phone. The manager said he will go door to do first to see if a resident perhaps left the stove on. In hindsight I cannot believe they didn't insist we leave the building but to be fair I had a pounding headache and wasn't thinking clearly.

The manager was taking forever and so I went and called the fire dept. Manager said gas co had been alerted and would be on their way. My family got out of the building. Manager made us seem like we were over reacting. I explained if we suspect gas then we all need to be out and not using cell phones and that other residents shouldn't be allowed to stay in apartments potentially lighting things until we get the clearance from the gas co.

Fast forward to an hour later. Gas company found the apartment below us has "something wrong with the oven." When we inquire as to what is wrong and if it is being fixed we are met with frustration and the notion that we are an inconvenience. Finally we learn that the oven had an issue where something was triggering it to turn on and leak gas. They had the gas co shut off the gas for that oven and will have someone come out and investigate further tomorrow.

The gas company left and we were told it is safe to go back in our apartment. We have windows open. The entire building smells heavily of gas. The outside doors to the building are propped open but the hallway has such a strong odor of gas it hits you like a ton of bricks. Management said gas smells needs time to dissipate. Ok. But it's now been 2 hours since gas leak was found and shut off. It is windy with good air flow but building still smells of gas. If we shut our windows or go into our bathroom (has shared wall) then you can smell gas.

Would you be concerned? Would it be practical to still smell gas hours later?

I know gas is common in MA. I grew up with oil and the last two places I lived had all electric so this is new to me. Not sure if my wife is overreacting but she doesn't want us to stay here tonight.

[Dm84]

Call the gas company directly this time.

Yes, you should be concerned.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Call the gas company directly this time.

Yes, you should be concerned.

In a multi-unit dwelling, you should call the fire department, not the gas company. The fire department can then decide if it's a public safety issue. They don't happen very often but gas explosions are a pretty big deal.

[goolsbyjazz]

Be concerned and take action. I grew up in MA and remember a gas explosion happening at a local business. No casualties, other than the building.

[Bruins3445]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Call the gas company directly this time.

Yes, you should be concerned.

Lesson learned.

[Bruins3445]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

In a multi-unit dwelling, you should call the fire department, not the gas company. The fire department can then decide if it's a public safety issue. They don't happen very often but gas explosions are a pretty big deal.

The fire dept came and didn't tell anyone in the building to evacuate. The proper manager was walking around on her cell phone. When I chose to have my family evacuate they (fire dept and manager) made us feel like we were overreacting. Until the gas co showed up who was livid that people were still in the building, potentially using sources of fire, talking on phones, etc

[Bruins3445]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Be concerned and take action. I grew up in MA and remember a gas explosion happening at a local business. No casualties, other than the building.

Who do I talk to about the fact that the proper manager never told people to evacuate? She was walking through the building talking on her phone while the place reaked of gas. Right on the gas co website it says to have everyone evacuate and stay back 100 ft and avoid all cell use. Feeling very unsafe staying here with that level of incompetence