Three people, including two women and a child, have been confirmed dead after a gas explosion sparked a massive fire at a Dallas apartment complex on Thursday. The bodies were recovered from the rubble, according to Dallas Fire and Rescue. Four others were hospitalised with injuries.
Nearly 100 firefighters battled the blaze, which reduced the building to a heap of debris. Video footage showed firefighters hosing down smoking wreckage and searching through burnt lumber for possible survivors. Assistant Fire Chief James Russ stated that the fire was contained but primary searches were ongoing, with a drone deployed to scan the area.
The explosion was initially caused by a natural gas leak, Russ confirmed at a press conference. He noted that the number of potential fatalities remained unknown. The scene was crowded with fire trucks, ambulances, and police vehicles.
Residents described the blast as powerful. Julie Jensen, who lives nearby, said the noise left her ears ringing and knocked items off her walls. Another resident, Mr Terrance, feared his pets had perished in the fire. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson expressed his condolences and said he was monitoring the situation closely.
