Dallas Fire-Rescue crews continued searching through debris Friday for additional victims after a massive natural gas explosion and fire destroyed a two-story apartment complex in Oak Cliff Thursday afternoon.
The blast occurred around 12:47 p.m. Thursday at the building near East 9th Street and Patton Avenue when a construction crew struck a natural gas line, according to officials. The explosion triggered a fast-moving five-alarm fire that heavily damaged the structure, killed three people — including a child — and injured at least four others. Dallas Fire-Rescue confirmed the fatalities as two adult women and one child.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene as heavy smoke and flames engulfed the complex. Crews used drones and manual searches to look for missing residents into the night and early Friday. One of the injured was initially listed in critical condition. A family reunification center was established at nearby W.H. Adamson High School.
An explosion engulfed a Dallas apartment building in a massive and deadly blaze Thursday while firefighters were on their way to a reported gas leak, and three people were killed, officials said. pic.twitter.com/I6MEMN1SL7
— Drax. (@Drax_Neel) May 29, 2026
Atmos Energy stated that the construction crew was unrelated to the utility and that the fire department notified them of the damaged pipeline. The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is sending a team to investigate the incident.
The explosion shook nearby homes and scattered debris across the area, leaving many residents in shock. Officials have not yet released the total number of people who lived in the building or a full accounting of those affected. The search and recovery efforts remain ongoing as the community grapples with the tragedy.
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