Three people have died, including one child, after a powerful explosion tore through a Dallas apartment complex Thursday.
Fire tore through the building in the Oak Cliff area near the Bishop Arts District on Thursday after the explosion. Two women and a child were killed, while five other people were injured, according to the Dallas Fire Department. One of the injured remains in a critical but stable condition.
Firefighters were responding to a call regarding a gas leak when an explosion happened. Nearly 100 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Footage shows the apartment building has largely been destroyed.
Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson said Dallas Fire-Rescue "has transitioned from the rescue phase to recovery and excavation operations," in an update posted on X on Thursday evening.
"While the fire has been extinguished, recovery efforts continue," he said. "We do not yet know the final toll on this community, but it is already high. The survivors of this tragedy lost their homes and everything in them. And there are families grieving loved ones who perished."
The incident comes amid several recent high-profile explosions nationwide. Last week in Orange County, California, officials warned of a chemical blast threat at the GKN aerospace facility that prompted evacuations of nearly 50,000 people. Evacuations remained in effect for days as emergency crews worked to mitigate the issue. On Tuesday, a deadly industrial explosion in Longview, Washington, killed at least two workers, injured several and left nine missing and presumed dead after a chemical tank imploded at a Nippon Dynawave pulp and paper mill.
Dallas Apartment Explosion: What We Know
Dallas Fire-Rescue said crews were initially dispatched shortly before 1 p.m. to the 400 block of East 9th Street, where a reported explosion triggered a multi-alarm fire that quickly escalated in severity. Heavy smoke was visible at the scene, and parts of the two-story residential building appeared to be destroyed.
As of Thursday afternoon, officials said 23 residents were believed to live in the building, with 11 still missing. At least four people were taken to the hospital, NBC DFW reported. The explosion occurred after a contractor working at the building struck a gas line, the report said. Officials cautioned that the number of injuries could increase as search efforts continue.
In a post on X at around 4 p.m. ET, the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department said the fire was under control.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said he was monitoring the incident.
"I am closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the explosion in Oak Cliff," his post on X said. "My prayers are with those injured, their families, and all those who have suffered loss from this tragic event. Our Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel responded swiftly and their efforts to fight the fire are ongoing. A family reunification center is being established at the W. H. Adamson high school gym. We will continue to monitor the incident closely and support all those affected."
Photos Show Destroyed Building, Firefighters on Scene
Below are photos from the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department showing the extent of the destruction.
Images and video from the scene showed the extent of the destruction, with collapsed sections of the building and debris strewn onto neighboring homes. Thick black smoke rose above the area as crews climbed ladders and trained hoses on smoldering rubble while others sifted through wreckage in search of possible survivors.
Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion moments before the fire erupted. One nearby resident said the blast shook her home and knocked items from the walls before she fled with her family cat.
Where Is Oak Cliff?
Oak Cliff is a large, historic section of Dallas located just southwest of downtown, sitting across the Trinity River from the city’s central business district. It is generally considered part of Dallas’ southern or southwestern side and is one of the city’s oldest areas, originally founded as a separate town before being annexed in the early 1900s.
What Happens Next
An investigation into the blast is ongoing, and emergency responders remain on scene. A family assistance center was set up nearby for displaced residents.