A new federal report says two home explosions in Jackson, Mississippi, in January 2024 were caused by underground gas pipes that pulled loose from their fittings as the city’s clay soil expanded and contracted with rainfall. The first blast on January 24 killed 82‑year‑old Clara Barbour and injured her husband. A second explosion three days later destroyed another home nearby.
The National Transportation Safety Board found that Atmos Energy Corp. had detected gas leaks at both homes weeks earlier but rated them as low risk, delaying repairs. Investigators said the company failed to properly assess soil‑related risks, replace older couplings prone to separation, or educate the public about gas leak dangers. The board urged regulators to increase oversight of Atmos, which serves several southern states…