A child and at least two other people were killed after an explosion ripped through a Dallas apartment complex, sparking a massive fire and sending debris across the neighborhood, officials said.
Fatalities have been confirmed by Dallas Fire-Rescue, spokesperson Jason Evans announced at an evening news conference. Hours after dozens of firefighters brought the flames under control, authorities did not immediately provide a number for the missing individuals they were searching for.
At least five injured people went to hospitals, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry stated at a news conference, “There have been fatalities at this point,” adding that the operation had transitioned from rescue to recovery. He urged patience, saying, “Let us work through the recovery phase and get a total number.”
The exact number of residents living in the building remains unclear, with some locals expressing distress over their inability to locate or contact friends and family members.
Dozens of firefighters searched through the smoldering rubble of the building on the outskirts of downtown Dallas, even as colleagues continued to drench the blackened debris.
Berry said firefighters were responding to a call of a gas leak when an explosion happened.
“We had the cavalry coming,” Berry said. “But the explosion had already taken place.”
Atmos Energy, a natural gas provider, said in a statement they were told by fire officials that a construction crew unrelated to the company had damaged a pipeline near the site of the fire.
Natural gas service to the area remained shut off, and company officials were working with investigators on-site, the company said.
Authorities set up a family reunification center at a nearby high school. Several hours after the blaze, Frances Rizo was still trying to find her friend who lived in the building.
“She’s not answering her phone,” Rizo said.
Firefighters rushed to the scene as flames and black smoke billowed into the sky. Some trained their hoses on piles of smoking debris while others removed lumber and other burned wreckage to look for anyone trapped underneath. Little more than a blackened shell of the original building remained.
“The fire is contained, but our members are still working on the scene to do primary searches,” said Dallas Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief James Russ.
Julie Jensen said she was at home less than a block from the burning building when she heard a noise like an explosion that left her ears ringing.
“I was sitting on my couch watching TV — stuff flew off our walls,” Jensen said.
Jensen said she saw rising smoke and neighbors running when she looked out the window. She grabbed her family’s cat and left, finding a nearby parking lot to wait until she knew it was safe to return.
Sal De La Rosa was at work at a nearby auto repair shop when “all of a sudden we just heard and felt this huge boom.”
“We felt where the building kind of shook a little bit,” Del La Rosa said.
He said a co-worker went outside and saw thick, black smoke rising into the air.
