Dallas Apartment Explosion Injures 8
A Dallas apartment explosion injured eight people Wednesday morning, including four firefighters. The explosion happened while firefighters were investigating a gas leak at Highland Hills Apartments in the 5700 block of Highland Hills Drive.
When firefighters arrived, they noticed a gas odor around the building. Dallas Fire Rescue (DFR) says building residents reported the smell of gas as early as Tuesday night.
At least eight people were injured in the blast, including four firefighters. Three survivors are in critical condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital. A DFR spokesperson told reporters, “when you are dealing with an explosion that can do that much damage to a two-story apartment building, you can only imagine what it can do to a human body.”
The impact of the explosion caused the two-story apartment building to partially collapse. A resident told The Dallas Morning News that “it was like a horror, scary movie.”
Atmos Energy released a statement Wednesday that investigators did not find any problems with its gas lines. The gas company says, “Atmos Energy has verified that our system is operating as expected, and we have found no indication that our system was involved.” However, on Thursday morning the Texas Railroad Commission confirmed an investigation into pipeline safety issues.
Gas was shut off to the complex while local, state, and federal agencies investigate with the DFR. The building was demolished late Wednesday because of safety issues.
Mountain Creek Apts LP, which owns the apartment building, is working to relocate 300 displaced residents. In the meantime, the Red Cross set up a reception area at the Tommy M. Allen Recreation Center.
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