Gas explosion destroys Dallas apartment building, sparks 5-alarm fire: DFR

NBCdfw ^ | 5/28/26 | Hannah Jones

[CFW]

A natural gas explosion destroyed a residential building in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, injuring at least four people on Thursday afternoon, Dallas-Fire Rescue confirms. Sources tell NBC 5 that 23 people lived in the building and officials said 12 residents have been accounted for.

DFR told NBC 5 they were called to a large 3-alarm fire triggered by a gas explosion at a residential building located in the 400 block of E. 9th Street shortly before 1 p.m. At about 2:20 p.m., the fire was increased to four alarms, and by 3:23 p.m., to five alarms.

NBC 5 Investigates Senior Investigative Reporter Scott Friedman said a source with knowledge of the situation told him that it appeared a contractor was working in the building at the time and may have struck a gas line. It is not clear what type of work was being done at the apartment complex.

[snip]

Nearly 100 firefighters responded to the scene, some of whom were seen searching through the debris, officials said. Dallas Fire Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), a specialized team trained to fight fires and search through debris in the event of urban structural collapse, also responded.

According to Dallas Fire-Rescue, 12 residents have been accounted for. Sources told NBC 5 that 23 people lived in the building, possibly leaving 11 unaccounted for. It is unclear if any other residents were at the apartment at the time of the explosion

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TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: apartment; boom; dallas; explosion; gas; texas

[CFW]

Go to the link and check out the video. This was a major explosion. I don't see how anyone who lived in the building managed to survive.

[CFW]

[Mark]

Bookmark

[kawhill]

“NBC 5 Investigates Senior Investigative Reporter Scott Friedman said a source with knowledge of the situation told him that it appeared a contractor was working in the building at the time and may have struck a gas line.” Lucky anyone lived, contractor don’t do that.

[Libloather]

Look for a slightly burnt goat. Just a guess.

[Ezekiel]

it appeared a contractor was working in the building at the time and may have struck a gas line.

The Burbs - Gas Line

[VTenigma]

It appears there’s a mobile drilling rig on the outside of the building that is incinerated so it looks like they might have hit the gas line.

[CFW]

It appears there’s a mobile drilling rig on the outside of the building that is incinerated so it looks like they might have hit the gas line.

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I saw that in the video. You are probably right. Either they didn’t call before digging or the gas lines were not properly marked.

[lightman]

I don’t have NG and I don’t regret it.

Nearest lines are over one mile away.

May they stay that far!

[CFW]

I don’t have NG either. I prefer it that way.

Update:

At least 4 people were hospitalized initially. Multiple fatalities have now been confirmed (exact number still unknown/pending confirmation). Crews have shifted from rescue to recovery mode. Drones are being used to search the rubble.

11 residents remain unaccounted for. Specific mentions include community activist and Precinct Chair Sylvia Collins; one resident (a young girl) escaped, but her mom and baby brother are among those missing.

The cause is still under investigation. Reports indicate a possible contractor struck a gas line (or a pre-existing leak that residents had smelled). The fire was contained around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

About 12 units were damaged; some residents were displaced. A family assistance/reunification center was set up at nearby W.H. Adamson High School. Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson has asked for prayers for the victims and first responders

[CFW]

Update on the explosion from last week.

“Recovery crews have found the remains of six of nine missing workers after a chemical tank rupture at a Washington state paper mill, officials said. Three workers remain unaccounted for as search efforts continue in hazardous conditions.”