Could a gas station cause a chain reaction explosion?

Question

In some towns, gas stations are at most a couple blocks away from each other stretching across the entire town. then with housing in between them that have gas lines going to them. If someone were to make the underground tank at a gas station explode, would it cause a chain reaction all the way across town?

Answer 1

in underground pipelines, the fuel can not combust due to the absence of oxygen. Only when the fuels are in contact with plenty of atmospheric oxygen, 10:1 ratio for gasoline (optimal), and of course at high temperature can combustion occur.
so
1. fuel
2.oxygen
3.high temperature.

Hope you can walk around in the city relieved by the fear of a chain explosion, after reading this answer.

Answer 2

Well that has never happened. There are many reasons why it never happens. Any gas or gasoline explosion requires air to be in contact with the gas. There is no air in the gas tank (it is full of gasoline vapor which displaces all the air), the natural gas pipes do not pass that close to the storage tanks, and those pipes also have no air in them, which is why the flame from your stove does not migrate down the pipe and to other houses. And the pipes are strong enough to not break even if an explosion happens nearby. And so on and so forth.

Answer 3

I am thinking about gas lines, not sure about the
petroleum issue though would have to look at a
map to see if it would follow through underground,
and result in a fire, like a mining fire, but no I think
not, but it could happen with gaslines though........

As well as petrochemical pipelines, above ground
though as you need air to feed a fire.......................

Answer 4

It's highly unlikely. The fire wold be contained to the proximity of the station and zoning laws account for that.

Answer 5

No, not even remotely possible.

Answer 6

YES it could

Answer 7

LOL!! Of course not....

Answer 8

no