All accounted for after Dallas apartment explosion; feds to investigate
Emergency crews have accounted for every person known to be living in The Clyde apartment complex at the time of a natural gas explosion on Thursday, Dallas fire chief Justin Ball said on Friday.
Crews spent until 2 a.m. Friday searching the rubble by hand, with drones, and with cadaver dogs, but did not find any more deceased people beyond the three located on Thursday, Ball said. The three deceased people were found in two different units.
Of the complex’s 23 units, 19 were occupied, and no one has reached out to the department in search of a missing person, Ball said.
Ball could not immediately provide information on whether contractors who were working at the scene prior to the explosion had called 811 to check for the location of gas lines, but said the information would be made available to investigators.
Dallas Fire-Rescue’s arson investigators will collaborate with the National Transportation Safety Board on determining the cause of the explosion, Ball said. The NTSB investigates transportation incidents, but also handles investigations of incidents involving natural gas pipelines and hazardous materials, according to its website.
City officials were able to help 10 families secure hotel accommodations before 9:30 p.m. Thursday, said Kevin Oden, the director of the city’s emergency management office.
The immediate material needs of the impacted residents have been met due to an outpouring of donations, Oden said, but anyone still wanting to help should focus their efforts on finances and volunteering. Dallas officials are beginning to work on finding long-term housing solutions for the impacted residents, Oden said.
