Dallas rescuers search for victims after gas explosion destroys building and ignites blaze | Dallas
Nearly 100 firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Dallas apartment complex on Thursday; Here, flames and black smoke rose into the sky as the debris of a collapsed building piled up on the ground.
News video shows dozens of firefighters on the scene. Some had their trunks pointed at the steaming piles of debris, while others were lifting and carrying away timber and charred debris, as if searching for people underneath. While two firefighters climbed long ladders above the fire with hoses, another sprayed water from the upper-floor window of a neighboring building.
Dallas deputy fire chief James Russ said the fire was initially caused by a natural gas explosion. televised press conference.
“The fire has been brought under control, but our members are still working on scene to conduct a preliminary search,” Russ said. “We put a drone up in the air to survey the area to see if we saw any victims or anything around.”
Russ said that four people were hospitalized with injuries, but he did not know their condition. He added that “it is unknown how many possible deaths we are facing.”
A nearby street was filled with fire trucks, ambulances and police cars with their lights flashing.
Julie Jensen said she was at home less than a block away from the building when she heard an explosion-like sound that left her ears ringing.
“I was sitting on my couch watching TV when things flew through our walls,” Jensen said.
Jensen said he looked out the window and saw smoke billowing and neighbors running. He took his family’s cat and left, finding a nearby parking lot and waiting until he knew it was safe to return.
“I am closely following the latest developments regarding the explosion in Oak Cliff.” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted. “My prayers are with those injured, their families and everyone else hurt by this tragic event.”
A Dallas fire rescue spokesman did not immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking comment. The Dallas Police Department referred all questions to fire officials.
