A Dallas apartment explosion killed three people, including a child, after a reported gas leak turned into an inferno.
At least three people died after an explosion and massive fire tore through a two story apartment building in Dallas on Thursday, officials said.
The victims included two women and one child, according to reports citing Dallas Fire-Rescue. At least five other people were injured as firefighters searched the burned wreckage for residents who may have been trapped.
The blast happened at the El Ricardo apartment building at 409 East 9th Street, near the Bishop Arts neighborhood in Oak Cliff. Dallas Fire-Rescue said crews were responding to a reported gas leak when the explosion happened. CBS News Texas
Explosion Happened Before Firefighters Arrived
Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry said crews were already on the way when the building exploded.
“We had the cavalry coming,” Berry said, according to local reports. “But the explosion had already taken place.”
The fire quickly grew into a five alarm response. About 120 firefighters rushed to the scene as flames swallowed the apartment building and thick black smoke rose into the sky.
Authorities said the mission later shifted from rescue to recovery as crews moved through the unstable debris.
Residents Injured as Crews Searched the Rubble
Three people were taken to hospitals by ambulance, including one person listed in critical but stable condition, according to officials. Two others later went to hospitals on their own with minor injuries.
Firefighters also evacuated residents from a nearby apartment complex as a safety precaution.
Assistant Chief James Russ said the fire had been contained, but crews were still working through the scene to complete primary searches. Officials said some areas may require excavation before the search can fully end.
The Associated Press reported that natural gas service in the area was shut off and that emergency workers continued searching the wreckage late Thursday. The Associated Press
Atmos Says Construction Crew Damaged Gas Line
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Atmos Energy, the natural gas provider, said a third party construction company that was not affiliated with Atmos damaged a natural gas pipeline.
The company said it is cooperating with investigators and emergency officials.
The New York Times reported that the damaged pipeline was linked to construction activity, but authorities have not released a final cause determination.
The National Transportation Safety Board has investigated natural gas explosions in the past and says pipeline damage and gas leaks can create serious risks when ignition occurs. Pipeline safety information is available through the National Transportation Safety Board.
Witnesses Describe Huge Boom and Smoke
Neighbors said the explosion shook nearby buildings and sent people running.
Julie Jensen, who lives about a block away, said she was sitting on her couch when the blast hit. She said items flew off her walls and her ears rang afterward.
When she looked outside, she saw smoke rising and residents fleeing the area. She grabbed her cat and went to a nearby parking lot until it was safe.
Local mechanic Sal De La Rosa said he heard and felt a huge boom. He said the building shook, and when he went outside, he saw thick smoke climbing into the air.
Search Continues as Families Wait for Answers
Officials said they would keep searching the property until every part of the damaged building had been checked.
The collapse and fire left little more than a blackened shell of the original apartment building. Fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles remained lined along nearby streets as crews worked through the debris.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said city officials were monitoring the response and grieving with the victims’ families. Local officials also opened support efforts for residents displaced by the explosion.
ABC News reported that the investigation remains active and that officials had not ruled out the possibility of additional victims. ABC News
A Deadly Reminder of Gas Leak Danger
The Dallas apartment explosion turned a reported gas leak into a deadly disaster within minutes.
For residents, it was a sudden blast that destroyed homes, injured neighbors and took the lives of three people, including a child.
For investigators, the focus now turns to how the gas line was damaged, how the leak developed and whether any safety failures contributed to the explosion.
For the families affected, the questions may take time. The grief began immediately.