Family, friends mourn victims in Oak Cliff apartment explosion
A 38-year-old mother, her young son and a Democratic Party activist have been identified as the victims in Thursday’s explosion and fire at an Oak Cliff apartment complex, according to family and friends.
A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funeral expenses for Marisol Perez and 18-month-old Erick Jr.
“Everything about her was just love,” said Perez’s sister, Nora Carmona, in an emotional interview with WFAA-TV.
Another sister, Rosalinda Martinez, told WFAA that Perez had always been there for them. The sisters said Perez was a loving mother and daughter, and her death has devastated their mother.
Perez’s elementary-school-age daughter somehow survived the natural gas explosion at The Clyde apartments with only minor scratches, acording to Carmona. The family isn’t sure how she managed to get out.
The third victim, Sylvia Collins, served as a Democratic Party precinct chair in Dallas. State Rep. Julie Johnson honored her as a dedicated community servant.
“She brought passion, kindness, and unwavering commitment to everything she did, always working to uplift others and strengthen the causes she believed in,” Johnson said in a Facebook post Friday.
“Her leadership and presence made a lasting impact on so many across Dallas.”
Collins’ best friend, Frances Rizzo, told WFAA that the long-time activist “gave everything that she had to the community.”
The victims were honored at a candlelight vigil at W. H. Adamson High School on Friday night.
“Together, Oak Cliff stood in solidarity recognizing a tragedy,” State Sen. Royce West said in a Facebook post. “Together, Oak Cliff stood to remember those lost and injured in the explosion. Tonight’s candlelight vigil brought broken hearts together.”
Officials said the explosion at The Clyde, located at the intersection of Patton Avenue and East 9th Street, was reported about 12:45 p.m. Thursday. Dallas Fire-Rescue crews were already on the way to the apartments to investigate reports of a gas leak when it occurred.
Around 120 firefighters responded to the five-alarm blaze. At least five people were injured, including one who was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
One of the survivors, Onecimo Ponce Mendoza, is seeking $1 million in damages in the first lawsuit filed in connection to the incident, his attorney announced on Friday.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the explosion.
