Dallas Apartment Building Collapses After Gas Explosion – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Four firefighters and three residents were injured Wednesday morning in a natural gas explosion at a Southeast Dallas apartment building leading to a partial collapse. Three of the firefighters are said to be in critical condition.

Jason Evans with Dallas Fire-Rescue told NBC 5 that firefighters were called to the Highland Hills apartments at about 10:21 a.m. for a gas leak. Firefighters arrived and confirmed the smell of natural gas at a building near the entrance.

While firefighters were conducting their investigation, an explosion occurred leading to the partial collapse of one building and sending debris flying 20-30 yards away.

There were four firefighters, and three civilians, injured in the explosion. All seven were taken to a local hospital for evaluation of a variety of injuries.

Video from Texas Sky Ranger shows how an apartment building in Southeast Dallas partially collapsed Wednesday morning after a natural gas explosion.

Further details about the conditions of the injured firefighters are not yet known. Though Evans said, “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 explosion caused a two-story building to partially collapse on one end. Windows on adjacent buildings have been blown out and bricks from the facade were knocked from the walls. The explosion caused substantial damage to the immediate area.

While the explosion appears to have damaged at least two other buildings, firefighters were able to put out the fire before it consumed the building or spread to adjacent buildings.

Dallas Fire-Rescue has brought their Urban Search and Rescue Team to the area to search the debris. No other injuries have been confirmed.

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The community is located on the 5700 block of Highland Hills Drive near the intersection of Simpson Stuart and Bonnie View roads and not far from Paul Quinn College.

It’s not yet clear how many residences are affected by the explosion. It’s also not yet clear if there is an active gas leak in the area. Oncor crews were seen at the complex late Wednesday morning.

There is no information on what specifically caused the explosion. Dallas Fire-Rescue said the explosion will be a joint investigation involving DFR and multiple local, state, and federal agencies, to determine exactly what happened.

Evans added that it is extremely important people call 911 if they smell natural gas, saying “we have the equipment to investigate and determine where it is coming from.”

Traffic along Highland Hills Drive has been blocked off.

Dozens of people were seen standing near the apartment buildings watching the situation unfold. The Red Cross is headed to the area to help displaced residents.

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