Clue me in- why are fires starting in NO and not in other hit areas?

[MichiganVote]

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Gas lines, oil pipes, chemical factories..... then there is the

insurance issue.

[despairing optimist]

2. It's probably not that fires are starting so much as fire engines put them

out in other areas. New Orleans firefighters can't reach the fires because of the flooding, and the water pressure may be too low for hoses to work.

Another question is, why didn't NO install central valves to cut off the city's natural gas supply? I believe San Francisco did that nearly a century ago after the quake of '06. Ruptured gas lines in NO are starting fires; once there's enough gas, a small spark from a cell phone, a battery, or static electricity could cause an explosion.

[NWHarkness]

3. What's the most common type of home heating?

If it's natural gas, I'm surprised there haven't been even more fires.

[LiviaOlivia]

4. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods..

No it's a 99% certainity it's not arsonists. Don't believe the RW lies. Anyone who has lived thru floods or in a flood zone will tell you.

~snip~

Look for fire hazards. There may be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Flammable or explosive materials may travel from upstream. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods.

Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.

~snip~

http://www.iitr.ac.in/centers/TIFAC/database/floods/prev3.htm

[rzemanfl]

5. A lot of coastal areas in the South don't have natural gas service.

We don't have it where I live in Florida.