The gas leak fires are no big deal.
A gas line leak at the street will follow the pipes in to the houses. Keep in mind the leak is not on the inside of the pipe, it is following the outside of the pipes. Older homes had the gas line going in to the house underground with the meter in the street underground.
This problem is why meters are now out side above ground.
No increase in pressure was needed to override any relief valves.
Notice the part in th announcement that says they may relocate the gas meter outside. Old meters were inside in in the street underground.
Leaks outside the home would follow the outside of the pipes to inside the house until an ignition source was reached, then BOOM
As a former F/F I've seen houses completely knocked down in to a pile of rubble by a gas explosion.
For instance 1 gallon of gasoline vaporized = 12 sticks of tnt. Natural gas is not as explosive so it may = 8 sticks.