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Explosion in Oak Cliff
A gas leak call led Dallas Fire-Rescue crews to an apartment complex in the Oak Cliff neighborhood, where an explosion destroyed the building and ignited a massive fire on Thursday afternoon.
“A large explosion after a reported gas leak leveled a Dallas apartment building and prompted a massive response from Dallas Fire-Rescue on Thursday afternoon”
NBC News reported the blaze erupted just before 1 p.m., and Dallas Fire-Rescue said it responded to a gas leak call and then escalated from a two-alarm fire into a five-alarm fire.
Deputy Chief Mark D. Berry told NBC News, "Our first responders, while they were en route to that gas leak, a subsequent explosion occurred," as officials said at least 11 residents were unaccounted for.
CBS News put the address at 409 E 9th St. and said Dallas Fire-Rescue Assistant Fire Chief James Russ confirmed that at about 12:47 p.m. crews responded to a gas leak call and "shortly after, the explosion happened."
Search, injuries, missing
As firefighters moved from rescue to recovery, Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry said, "There have been fatalities at this point," while also telling the public, "Let us work through the recovery phase and get a total number."
NBC News said at least four people were hospitalized, and Dallas Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief James Russ said four people were transported to the hospital, with their conditions not known.
The Guardian described nearly 100 firefighters battling the blaze and quoted Russ saying, "The fire is contained, but our members are still working on the scene to do primary searches," while also adding that a drone was put in the air to canvass for victims.
In Dallas, residents described the blast and the scramble to escape, including Julie Jensen saying, "I was sitting on my couch watching TV – stuff flew off our walls," after hearing a noise like an explosion that left her ears ringing.
Cause and next steps
Atmos Energy said it was notified at 12:51 p.m. by the fire department that "a construction crew unrelated to Atmos Energy damaged a natural gas pipeline near 409 E. 9th Street," and it said natural gas service in the immediate area is off.
“DALLAS - A suspected gas explosion and fire were reported on Thursday at an apartment building in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas”
CBS News reported that by 2:30 p.m. 71 units were on scene for the 5-alarm incident and that there were 120 firefighters who responded, while Dallas Fire-Rescue said it evacuated residents from a neighboring apartment complex and a small house.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said he was closely monitoring the incident and posted, "My prayers are with those injured, their families, and all those who have suffered loss from this tragic event," as officials continued locating victims.
NewsNation said fire officials did not confirm any deaths and indicated the search for victims could lead to the discovery of people killed, while the number of fatalities remained unknown as crews searched wreckage and flames at El Recardo.
