I don't understand that post.
In my city, if she called about gas at her furnace, then the gas company would come out and inspect it, and if there was a small problem with no real safety issues, then they may give her a break and write up a notice, and tell her to call a plumber, if there was any danger, then they would lock the meter, and then a licensed plumber and a permit, and a full pressurized test of the entire system after the repair, and a city inspection of that work and test would be required.
Since the gas company only works from the outside meter back through their lines in the yard, then all of their work area would be outdoors, and it would be very simple and straightforward, basic, and it would be hard to make such a gross mistake with it.
Wondering if it wasn’t an attempted insurance fraud. Ok the furnace could have a problem. The size of the problem would be a huge one, easily detected and gas cut off and locked.The leak wouldn’t (shouldn’t) occur in a gas furnace with a proper functioning thermocouple. If the thermocouple wasn’t functioning properly, gas flow should stop. If gas flow continued unchecked, pilot (electric) wouldn’t activate because of the thermocouple. It doesn’t add up. Luckily, the resident was away from home a few days. Why leave the unit on if you’re away?