A massive natural gas explosion tore through an Oak Cliff apartment building in Dallas on Thursday afternoon, killing three people — including a young child — and leaving families desperately searching for missing loved ones in the rubble.
Dallas Fire-Rescue confirmed the victims include two adult women and one child. The blast hit the 400 block of E. Ninth Street around 12:45 p.m., and when firefighters arrived just two minutes later, the entire building was already engulfed in flames.
A Contractor May Have Struck the Gas Line
Atmos Energy confirmed that a construction crew had damaged a natural gas pipeline near the building shortly before the explosion. The energy company said they were not part of that work, but immediately dispatched technicians and shut off gas service in the area. An investigation is ongoing.
City officials confirmed they had no work being done in the area at the time.
“I Just Want to See Them”
The most heartbreaking story came from Rosy Martinez, who rushed to the scene searching for her sister Marisol, 38, and one-year-old nephew Manuel.
“I just hope he’s OK and I hope we find them soon. This doesn’t feel real to me,” she said through tears.
Sources say 23 people lived in the building. As of Thursday night, only 12 residents have been accounted for.
Massive Emergency Response
Over 115 firefighters battled the blaze, which escalated to a five-alarm fire by 3:23 p.m. Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue team combed through debris by hand and with drones. Four people were taken to hospital.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is sending a team to Dallas to investigate.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson urged the nation to pray: “We ask everyone to please pray for our Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel who are still fighting this fire.”
A family assistance center has been set up at W.H. Adamson High School for those affected.
