It's the mixture of gas and air that creates a potentially explosive condition, has little if anything to do with gas pressure. If the part of the distribution network that terminates at the consumers is much over-pressure, leaks (some protective in nature, e.g., "relief valve") will spring "all over the place," waiting for an ignition source
Going to be substantial liability to some entity, gas utility most likely. Windfall for the ambulance chasing lawyers.
By design, there is no "weak link," no gas is supposed to leak, period. The meters don't have a pressure regulating function, just measurement and with the smart ones, reporting.
That 50 PSI rating (assuming for argument it's correct rating) is never expected to be approached, not by a long shot. Utility error or sabotage delivering way over-pressure gas to the network.
There would be liability if only one house was involved, and "something preventable went wrong" on the part of the utility company.
Gas fire and explosion is usually due to crap maintenance or other issue at/by the consumer, so one building involved. Res ipa loquitur says this set of events is not due to consumer, although some of the several fires may coincidentally be attributable to consumer error.
The facts of this one will come out eventually. Too big to bury.
Weak link isn't a pressure bearing device, was one of my points. Another is that the meter is not designed as an intentional relief point. i do agree, most likely leaky points (including any intentional relief) are designed to be outdoors above ground.
The consumer's gas train has more parts than a meter.
No nat gas as service at my house. All gas experience is industrial. Regulator and meter are separate functions, may be in same box depending on utility preference.
Meter is of course by volume - at a specified pressure - aiming to get a "bill by the BTU" sort of result, which is roughly analogous to "by the pound." Bill is per Cu.Ft. or other volume unit.