DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The four civilians injured in Wednesday’s apartment explosion in South Dallas have been discharged from the hospital, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue.
DFR units were assigned to a 911 call for a Natural Gas Leak/Odor Wednesday morning at the apartment complex on Highland Hills Road.
According to DFR, firefighters arrived at an apartment building near the gate entrance. At some point while investigating, an explosion occurred, causing a partial collapse of the two-story apartment building, injuring four firefighters, and four civilians. All individuals were taken to local hospitals for evaluation of a variety of injuries. Three of the firefighters are in critical but stable condition, while the fourth firefighter was treated and discharged from the hospital.
DFR said late Wednesday that there were a total of 10 units in the apartment building where the explosion occurred. All of the residents of that building have been located and are safe.
As the investigation moves forward, gas is being shut off to the entire complex, resulting in the displacement of approximately 300 residents. Currently, the department is working alongside the City’s Office of Emergency Management, the American Red Cross and apartment management to offer accommodations for those impacted. All buildings in the complex will undergo a thorough investigation and inspection process to allow residents’ safe return.
The Dallas Office of Emergency Management coordinated resources and assistance for approximately 300 residents of an estimated 200 households from these apartments and a Red Cross emergency relief site in the Tommie M. Allen Recreation Center.
”I’m proud of the work by Dallas Fire-Rescue while still in the midst of a pandemic,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. ”To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are working with all appropriate authorities to provide area hotels starting Wednesday evening.”
The City is going door-to-door, texting, and calling affected residents and will continue reaching out in all ways possible. Donations of comfort items are not being accepted, but residents interested in providing support are urged to contribute to the Dallas Foundations Disaster Relief Fund or the Red Cross.
Investigators were able to make it into parts of the building to take photos and document their findings; but due to the instability of the structure, the building had to be torn down for safety reasons. DFR said there is currently no indication as to what caused the explosion, but Investigators will work with multiple local, state and federal agencies, to determine exactly what happened.
Atmos Energy said it’s not believed their system was involved in the explosion. Read the full statement from Atmos below:
“Atmos Energy was called by Dallas Fire-Rescue to the scene of an apartment complex on Highland Hills Drive in Dallas. After verifying that gas was shut off to the meter that supplies the apartment complex, our highly trained technicians began performing safety checks of Atmos Energy’s system. Atmos Energy has verified that our system is operating as expected, and we have found no indication that our system was involved.
The safety of our community is our highest priority, and our crews remain on site to work to assist emergency responders. Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters and residents who were injured.”
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