In brief
Firefighters arrived to evacuate an apartment building after a reported gas leak, but an explosion erupted before they could enter. The blast leveled the two‑story complex and forced a temporary family reunification center to open nearby. Officials say a contractor may have damaged an underground gas line. Natural‑gas company Atmos Energy is cooperating with investigators.\n\nThree residents were killed and at least five people were hospitalized. The investigation has dispatched an eight‑person National Transportation Safety Board team and a gas‑line repair crew to the site. The building, which had 22 apartments, collapsed into rubble as smoke lingered over the block. Residents and neighbors reported a roar and subsequent shake before the fireball.\n\nLaw‑enforcement officers and emergency workers are still clearing the area, and a search is underway for any additional missing victims. Authorities have shut off natural‑gas service to the area while investigations continue.\n\nThe event underscores the importance of rapid gas‑line inspections—especially when new construction projects are underway— and the need for caution when deploying crews near regulated infrastructure.
Dallas Fire‑Rescue Chief Justin Ball says firefighters had been dispatched to evacuate an apartment building after reports of a gas leak when an explosion occurred. He told the media that the crew had “everything they were supposed to do” before the blast. No firefighters were injured.The two‑story complex in Oak Cliff, just south of downtown Dallas, was damaged completely. A child and two other people were killed and at least five people were injured, according to Dallas Fire‑Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans. The explosion shook nearby homes and the resulting inferno razed the building.Officials say the complex contained 22 apartments. The area surrounding the site is cordoned off by police with black tape. The smell of smoke still lingers, with officers in yellow vests and investigators working in bright clothing.The National Transportation Safety Board is sending an eight‑person team to investigate. Early reports suggest a contractor struck an underground gas pipeline during a construction project. Atmos Energy, a natural‑gas provider, confirmed that the damage was caused by a crew unrelated to the company.The apartment owner’s attorney said a buyer plans to replace the structure with a new housing unit. An engineering firm hired by the buyer reportedly struck the gas line while conducting a soil test. The owner expressed sorrow and uncertainty about the number of casualties.Many residents were personally impacted. Sherry Woods, who lived a block away, felt a “boom” that shook her. The sound startled her and her boyfriend, and the building shuddered. A vehicle was also damaged by the blast.Authorities have set up a family reunification center at a local high school while they continue to search for missing victims. Trish Thompson, a nearby resident, described hearing a loud rumble like a train and seeing smoke. She urged people to pray for those affected.The event highlights risks associated with gas pipelines adjacent to construction sites and underscores ongoing efforts to improve safety protocols and accountability.Associated Press journalist Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
