Simple Valve Could Have Saved a Life

Hours before a natural gas explosion destroyed a popular Kansas City restaurant on February 19th, witnesses reported a strong smell of gas.

VALVE Magazine Editorial Team

The utility was notified, apparently in a timely manner, but for reasons that are unclear at this time, the crew did not use one of the shut-off valves to stop the flow of gas. Before they could stop the flow of gas, however, and as employees of JJ’s began evacuating the building, the restaurant exploded, killing one of the employees and injuring several others. A local attorney, Grant Davis, who is representing employees of the restaurant, believes he knows why. He has found photos showing evidence that the valve that would have saved a life was missing. One of the photos shows an MGE line near the restaurant. He says the photo shows that what should have been a shut-off valve appears to have broken off.