No, gas will not leak if the pilot light goes off on a standard modern water heater. When the pilot flame extinguishes, the safety thermocouple cools down instantly, tripping an internal spring-loaded safety valve that shuts off all gas flow to the unit. As long as your gas control valve is functioning correctly, gas supply is safely blocked. However, if you smell gas or suspect a malfunctioning control valve, treat it as an emergency. Verification: Ensure the gas control valve is turned fully to "OFF" or "PILOT" if troubleshooting an unlit pilot.
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