Don’t take this the wrong way but if this was the flame being seen alone I’d wonder about something neurologically going on, like a brief migraine aura or visual cortex seizure at this point. But the auditory “pop” at the same time makes that seem very very improbable.
So everything everyone can come up is improbable. Which ones are not impossible?
Didn’t want to bring that up myself not knowing what the possibilities are. The OP wasn’t sleeping or falling asleep which might lead to Exploding Head Syndrome. I’ve encountered that, been a long time since it last happened, but there’s no actual audio or visual effect.
I did consider if I was seeing things for whatever reason. Reality and I have always been only nodding acquaintances. It did seem that the team from the gas company thought I was just a hallucinating idiot. The first time I saw just a flash out of the corner of my eye. But the second time, I saw it quite clearly. It was a burst of flame in the air. I was reminded of the day in high school chemistry class when the teacher made soap bubbles with the gas from the Bunsen burner, and then carefully ignited them. Those also left no singe marks anywhere or any sign of their passing.
Also, OTTOMH- I have ADD, OCD, social anxiety disorder, general anxiety disorder, Hoarding disorder, chronic depression and probably a few I am forgetting. None of my diagnoses AFAIK include auditory and visual hallucinations. I may have come down with something new. But I doubt it. I am not any illegal drugs. I have been on the same cocktail of prescriptions from my psychiatrist for a while now.
The mice are setting off fireworks?
Tell us more about the location of the flash you saw. Was it in close proximity to anything? a light bulb? An outlet? Natural gas would not ignite in the air like that. It dissipates too quickly. It would likely only ignit at the source of the leak. A spurt from an aerosol of some type might because it comes out in a spurt too concentrated to ignite and then quickly reaches the right concentration with air where it can ignite.
The first one was just a bright flash I saw out of the corner of my eye. I can only say it happened somewhere near the stove.
The second happened between my big laser printer and the fridge. It was very brief. It was a bright, pale orange burst of flame roughly two feet off the floor. The base was not connected to the floor or anything else.
Re Sleep Deprivation
During the year I spent at my last apartment, I was chronically sleep deprived. I would wake up four or five times a night. Anxiety would keep me up for a half hour or more each time. There were a few times I had to call in sick due to not getting enough sleep. There were many more times when I was sure I would have to call in sick, but somehow made it through the day. I don’t remember any hallucinations during that time. Though there were times I could not stay fully awake while working. I would ask the caller a question, fall asleep for a few seconds, and then wake up to find myself typing their answer into the form.
Look–to the point, get out.
You do not want to be there.
Then, sue.
Since we’re (wisely) covering possible intrinsic factors, as well as the likely extrinsic factors, may I add this one – an ophthalmologic emergency if it’s the case:
[bolding mine]
ETA: and I’m not discounting that you also heard something simultaneously, but I’m considering the theoretical possibility that the timing of the flash and the sound were coincidental, and that the two were unrelated.
Because … low probability, high consequence if you have a retinal detachment.
Serious question- What would I sue for? Based on my experiences, I think it was some kind of flammable gas. Niether the gas company of the fire department found any evidence it ever happened.
The majority of the repairs I have been asking for are stuck windows or windows that do open but need screens installed.
Yes, my apartment has rodents. My last apartment had a much worse rodent problem. This is Philly. Most of the city has a rodent problem.
I do have decent credit now. But, breaking a lease is usually expensive. If I can find another place to live, I will need to pay for movers and the safety deposit.
When I discovered the toxic mold in my first apartment, my beloved paid most of the storage fees and found a very nice indoor, climate controlled storage space to rent. She also let me live in her apartment for two months while we looked for a new apartment.
Due to her mother’s failing health, my beloved moved back in to the family home to care for her. Moving in with my beloved is not an option at this time, not even as a temporary measure.
FDM or resin? Oh, wait, like a paper printer? Any loose toner?
That would be a 3d printer.
Yes, caught that.
I don’t know what FMD is or what resin means in this context. It is a Brother HL-L8360CDW series printer. All I know is- instead of an expensive ink cartridge that dries out whether you use it or not, this printer uses a very expensive toner powder. This stuff lasts a very long time and will not evaporate.
Only if hams are being steamed in the kitchen.
Do you refill the toner yourself? Just thinking what in your environment, other than gas, could make midair explosions. Toner in air is such a thing.
When I first read ‘laser printer’ I thought of 3d printers, but you can ignore that part.
I have not had to refill the toner yet. I have had the printer for years and done a lot of printing. It has yet to run out of toner or paper. It is big. It weighs at least thirty pounds. I love this printer.
Might want to check it hasn’t sprung a leak, then. Doubt it’s the kind of thing a gas company crew would test for.
Been any static electricity around lately?
I will check the printer.
The only static electricity I have noticed lately is when I touch one of the office chairs before taking my winter coat off.
I Would Like To Make A Point
I get the impression that some people feel I unwilling to do anything to fix whatever the problem is. After the second incident, I immediately called the gas company to report a leak. The team they sent over could not find a leak. I tried finding the fire department non emergency number. I could not find it. A few people said I should just call 911. I did. When a fire engine and a team in full gear showed up, they inspected my kitchen. They did not find faulty wiring or other electrical hazards.
I most certainly am hesitant to call maintenance. Yes, they can replace the stove. According to the gas company team that was here yesterday, there is no current gas leak. The only reason to get the stove replaced would be if I wanted to cook.
What are the chances the same maintenance people who refuse to fix a stuck window or put a new lock on my mailbox will be able to find something that the gas company and the fire department missed?
What are the chances that they will look around my apartment, decide what they see is ‘extreme hoarding’ and evict me?
I am very willing to take action likely to improve the situation. I see no reason to take action that is highly unlikely to improve the situation and is in fact likely to make things worse.
A rodent could provide a source of ignition in the form of static electricity and if it’s near the stove it could very well be a gas leak after all seeing as how it is close to the floor