Finally, someone with some actual experience with flashlights and gas leaks! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for the feedback, THIRDPIG.

I guess a broken gas pipe is the scenario I was envisioning in my hypothetical scenario--a major earthquake could break the gas connection to the stove as the floor rocked violently back and forth. The kitchen is right next to our bedroom, so that's why we'd smell it right after the quake stopped. I know water heaters get strapped in California, but stoves? I've personally never seen it here.

But from what you say, sounds like we'd have a sufficient time to evacuate before the atmosphere became explosive, even if the gas line were completely busted open in our kitchen. I suppose opening the windows on the way out would help, too.