A gas leak call in Dallas turned into a nightmare Thursday when a massive explosion ripped through an apartment complex, sparking a huge fire that left three people dead, including a child.
Authorities said two adult women and one child were killed after flames tore through the apartment complex in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, near East Ninth Street and Patton Avenue. Five other people were injured, including one person who officials said was in critical but stable condition.
The situation remained grim as crews continued searching through the wreckage. Fire officials warned there could be more victims as heavy machinery was brought in to help dig through the rubble.
As of Thursday, officials said only about 35 to 40% of the apartment debris had been searched.
The tragedy began when firefighters were called to the complex for a reported gas leak. Dallas Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry said an explosion happened after crews responded to the scene.
The fire broke out shortly before 1 p.m. local time and quickly grew into a massive five-alarm blaze.
“This was quite a challenge from the very beginning, because this was expanding with multiple aspects of hazards that had to be addressed,” Dallas Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Scott Pacot said during a press briefing.
The fire has since been contained, but crews continued searching the site. Officials said a drone was being used to scan the area for possible victims while firefighters sifted through debris by hand.
“There have been fatalities at this point,” Berry said earlier Thursday.
Four people were taken to the hospital after the explosion, Dallas Fire Rescue Assistant Chief James Russ said during an earlier briefing. Officials later confirmed five people had been injured in total.
Atmos Energy, the natural gas distributor, said fire officials reported that a construction crew not connected to Atmos Energy damaged a natural gas pipeline near the apartment complex Thursday afternoon.
“Atmos Energy technicians are onsite working with Dallas Fire Rescue and other emergency management personnel,” the company said in a statement. “Natural gas service in the immediate area is off, an investigation is ongoing, and Atmos Energy crews remain on site to provide support.”
A spokesperson for the Dallas Department of Transportation and Public Works told reporters the city did not have any active work happening in that area at the time of the explosion.
Neighbors described a terrifying scene.
Some told ABC Dallas affiliate WFAA they heard a “very big explosion” and a “loud boom,” followed by screams and thick smoke. One neighbor said the blast blew out the windows in her apartment. Another said the ground shook.
The city said it will provide hotel rooms for residents who were displaced by the disaster.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson noted the heartbreaking timing of the explosion. Thursday was the first day of summer vacation for the Dallas Independent School District.
“We need to pray for these folks who are affected by this and for our entire city,” Johnson said.
What started as a reported gas leak quickly became one of the city’s most devastating emergencies, leaving families displaced, neighbors shaken and search crews facing the painful task of digging through what is left.
