Gas leak explosion kills three at Dallas apartment building

A large explosion after a reported gas leak leveled the El Ricardo apartment building at 409 E 9th St. in Dallas on Thursday afternoon. At least three people were killed and at least five were injured, officials confirmed.

The building sits just east of the Bishop Arts neighborhood, north of the Dallas Zoo and south of downtown. Aerial images showed a severely damaged two-story structure with flames and thick black smoke pouring from the wreckage. Fire crews contained the main blaze by 4 p.m., though hot spot flare-ups continued as personnel searched the debris.

Dallas Fire-Rescue Assistant Fire Chief James Russ said crews responded to a gas leak call at the complex at about 12:47 p.m. and the explosion followed shortly afterward. By 2:30 p.m., 71 units and 120 firefighters were on scene for the five-alarm fire.

Three people were taken to hospitals by emergency crews and two others went on their own. Methodist Dallas Medical Center reported one patient in good condition. Parkland Health said another patient arrived there also in good condition. One victim remains in critical condition.

Dallas Fire-Rescue evacuated residents from a neighboring apartment complex to the east and a small house to the west.

Dallas Fire Deputy Chief Mark Berry confirmed fatalities at the scene. Spokesperson Jason Evans said two women and one child were killed. "We are still in the process of locating victims," Evans said. "Fire personnel, in conjunction with DFR and DPD Drone Teams, are carefully working their way through the remnants to locate victims."

Berry said crews had shifted to recovery mode. The Dallas Medical Examiner was on scene late Thursday. Evans said crews had cleared roughly 40 percent of the building by 8 p.m. and would remain overnight. "We may very well find more victims," he said. "We just have to keep searching."

A family reunification center was set up at WH Adamson High School. The city provided hotel rooms for residents displaced by the blast.

Witnesses told CBS News Texas reporter Marissa Armas they heard a loud boom and saw people running. Oliver Jimenez, who lives across the street, said he felt his building shake, rushed outside and saw a young girl emerging from the debris before the fire worsened.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said on social media that his "prayers are with those injured, their families, and all those who have suffered loss from this tragic event." In a later statement he praised firefighters for containing the blaze quickly and preventing further damage.

Atmos Energy said a construction crew unrelated to the utility damaged a natural gas pipeline near the address just before 1 p.m. Technicians were on site working with emergency crews, and gas service in the immediate area was shut off. The investigation continues.