DALLAS — Dallas Fire-Rescue officials said Friday that everyone believed to have been living at the Oak Cliff apartment building destroyed in a deadly explosion has now been accounted for.
Crews were responding to a reported gas leak around 12:47 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at a two-story apartment complex called The Clyde, located at the intersection of Patton Avenue and East 9th Street, Dallas Fire-Rescue said. While preparing to evacuate the property, the explosion occurred, according to DFR.
“Right before making entry, the building blew up," Dallas Fire Chief Justin Ball said in a Friday afternoon press conference.
Chief Ball gave an update on the incident and said crews searched till about 2 a.m. Friday morning and resumed operations a few hours later, using drones, cadaver dogs and urban search-and-rescue teams to search the debris. By Friday afternoon, officials said their search was complete.
"Per our records, there is no one unaccounted for," Ball said.
Watch the Friday, 4 p.m. press conference below
The explosion happened Thursday at an apartment complex in southern Dallas. Officials said three people were killed — two in one unit and one in another. Of the building's units, 19 were occupied by families, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Ball also addressed questions about why the building had not been evacuated before the explosion.
“They have to take all necessary precautions before they enter," Ball said. "They did what was appropriate for their position.”
According to Dallas Fire-Rescue, Engine 15 arrived within two minutes of the initial call, reporting a gas leak. The first firefighters on scene immediately began following established safety procedures, including securing the area, preparing equipment, connecting to a water supply, and calling for additional resources.
The crew was preparing to begin evacuating residents when the building exploded.
"No time was wasted," Ball said. "They got here really fast; did everything they are supposed to do."
Ball said Engine 15 was on scene for roughly 10 to 15 minutes before the explosion occurred. He emphasized that firefighters did not delay their response and that evacuation efforts were about to begin when the blast happened.
“We don't want to speculate what we feel may have started the fire, we rather wait until we get the final result of the investigation," Ball said.
No first responders were injured in the explosion.
Ball praised the firefighters who responded and defended their actions amid questions about the timeline leading up to the blast.
"This is a tough job," Ball said. "They performed a lot of heroics yesterday. Nothing was done wrong."
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Ball said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation with assistance from Dallas Fire-Rescue and other federal agencies. He declined to speculate about what caused the explosion. It's Time to find out why it happened," Ball said.
Watch the Thursday, 8 p.m. press conference below
Emergency crews will be on scene overnight using tools to dig through the debris in search of more victims, Evans said.
Reports indicated a construction crew may have been working in the area before the explosion. City of Dallas officials said no city crews were actively working at the time.
In a statement, Atmos Energy said that a construction crew unrelated to the company damaged a natural gas pipeline.
"At 12:51 p.m., the fire department reported to Atmos Energy that a construction crew unrelated to Atmos Energy damaged a natural gas pipeline near 409 E. 9th Street in Dallas. Atmos Energy technicians are onsite working with Dallas Fire Rescue and other emergency management personnel. Natural gas service in the immediate area is off, an investigation is ongoing, and Atmos Energy crews remain on site to provide support."
More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene, DFR said.
"In addition, what was unfolding at the address of origin, DFR also had to evacuate residents from a neighboring apartment complex to the east and a small house to the west," the department said in a news release.
According to county property records, there are 23 units in the building. The fire was reportedly the result of an explosion and was officially contained just before 3:30 p.m., DFR officials said. Crews will remain on scene to keep an eye on hot spots and will comb through debris.
"Fire personnel, in conjunction with DFR and DPD Drone Teams, are carefully working their way through the remnants to locate victims," DFR said in a statement.
Clyde Owner Responds
On Friday, through their attorney, the owner of the apartment complex issued a statement. The property’s attorney Geoff Henley said, “The owner is shocked by this outcome and likewise mourns this outcome. We still do not know how many perished in this fireball." He added that the owner has had the property for about a decade and he and the staff were close to the tenants.
Henley said the property is part of a pending sale and as part of that the buyer's engineering firm was doing soil testing. He said that they have tried to learn how the explosion happened. "There is a lot of information unfolding right now and we will actively keep you posted,” he said.
ECS Southwest, a Carrollton-based engineering consultancy firm, issued a statement calling the explosion a "terrible tragedy," and futher said there was no ECS Southwest personnel on site at the time of the explosion.
"811 reports that utility locating was performed at the site prior to the work," the statement reads. "Beyond that, the cause is under investigation, and we don't think it would be appropriate to speculate while that work is ongoing."
Residents, Neighbors, and Officials' Reaction
Emily, a resident at The Clyde, formerly known as the El Ricardo apartment complex, describes the moment she heard an explosion while at home with her sister.
"Me and her heard a big commotion like the apartment was shaking. Then I grabbed her. I went with her to the restroom, locked the door, trying to cover her. And the top floor of the apartment, it was like destroyed and shattered into our apartment downstairs, and even the window was breaking," Emily said.
A resident of the building, who identified himself as Mr. Brown, witnessed the possible explosion. He told WFAA that he felt the apartment shake and saw a young girl attempting to escape the debris. He drew the attention of Dallas firefighters, who responded and transported her to a hospital.
"Just save her life, that's what I was thinking, just save her life," Brown said.
"It was flames in a certain area, but when the little girl came out, it wasn't no flames. And then once it blew up again. And that's when the flames started spreading, and then that was it," Brown said.
Dallas Major Eric Johnson said in a statement that he is monitoring the situation.
"While the fire has been extinguished, recovery efforts continue. 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," Johnson said in a Thursday evening statement.
“We are definitely saddened about what has happened today in the Oak Cliff community," City Manager Kim Tolbert said.
A witness who identified herself as Marcella said she was in bed when she felt a loud boom. The explosion was so powerful that it blew out her windows, she said.
"It was actually crazy," she said. "My body is vibrating right now as we speak. I was so scared, I literally jumped out of my bed. I peeked out of the window to see what was going on. It scared me, I started crying and everything."
“I am heartbroken to hear about the devastating explosion in Oak Cliff today, and I thank Dallas Fire-Rescue for their brave response," James Talarico said in a statement. "I will continue to pray for the victims, their families, and all our neighbors in the Dallas area. In times of crisis, Texans’ resilience and combined strength binds us together in the face of tragedy — a true embodiment of our name, The Friendly State."
Another resident, who identified himself as Mr. Terrance, said he had just gotten off the bus and saw the flames.
"I lost my animals and everything. They probably burnt up, man. Two dogs, three cats. Getting off the bus coming home, and I've seen all this smoke. My wife says, 'That's our apartment complex,'" he said.
"Dallas Fire-Rescue has transitioned from the rescue phase to recovery and excavation operations. There is still much work to be done, and they will remain onsite for at least 24 hours," Mayor Johnson said in a statement.
How to help
A reunification center has been established at W.H. Adamson High School, near the scene of the fire.
Officials with the Red Cross said they are working with first responders and the apartment complex to assess the needs after the explosion. Those impacted by the fire and who need assistance should contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.
Mission Oak Cliff announced support and is holding an online and in-person donation drive for the victims.
"We are praying for all those affected by the tragic fire in Oak Cliff. Help us help our neighbor."
The organization is asking for water, non-perishable food items, gently used or new clothing, diapers, wipes, formula, blankets and gift cards.
- Friday, May 29, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Monday, June 1- Thursday, June 4 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off at 111 S. Beckley Ave. in Dallas. More information can be found online here.
Austin Street Center, a homeless shelter in Dallas, told WFAA it will be handling the long-term response for families who lost their homes in the blast, including covering 6 months of rent, which will be paid for by multiple funders. At least 14 of the displaced families will begin moving in at 10 a.m. Monday.
