Deadly gas explosion rips through Dallas apartment complex, killing at least 3
A thunderous gas explosion tore through a Dallas apartment complex early Tuesday, May 28, killing two women and a child and injuring five others, local officials said. The blast in the Oak Cliff neighborhood sent a massive plume of black smoke into the night sky and left the building engulfed in flames.
Firefighters were dispatched to a 911 call reporting a gas leak at the complex around 12:47 a.m. local time, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Berry. “Our first responders, while they were en route to that gas leak, a subsequent explosion occurred,” Berry said during an evening news conference.
Crews contained the fire and began searching for victims. In a post on X just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans confirmed the three fatalities: two women and a child. Three people were transported to local hospitals, including one in critical condition, while two others self-transported with minor, non-life-threatening injuries, Evans said.
The explosion completely destroyed the apartment building, leaving twisted metal, charred debris, and burned wood scattered across the scene. Firefighters were seen hosing down the smoldering wreckage in photos released by the department. The impact of the blast was felt throughout the neighborhood, shaking nearby homes and rattling residents awake.
By Wednesday morning, recovery efforts had concluded, according to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, who spoke with CBS News Texas. He did not specify whether any additional residents were found, but the property manager confirmed that all residents had been accounted for. The investigation into the cause of the gas leak and subsequent explosion remains ongoing, authorities said.
Gas explosions have been a recurring concern in aging urban infrastructure, with aging pipes and maintenance lapses often cited as factors. The incident has reignited calls for stricter gas safety regulations in Dallas, a city that has seen several pipeline failures in recent years.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gas explosion destroys Dallas apartment building: Watch aftermath