DALLAS – A week after a devastating gas explosion at an apartment complex in Dallas, first responders are sharing their harrowing experiences from the scene. The explosion claimed the lives of three individuals and left many others injured, some of whom are now displaced from their homes.
Deputy Constables Jonathan Banda and Vincent DeLuna were among the first to arrive at the Oak Cliff apartment complex shortly after the explosion. Banda recounted the challenges he faced while trying to reach the site, including having to move a Waymo vehicle that blocked his path. He managed to clear the vehicle after communicating with its controllers, but the delay was significant.
“At that point, he released it to me, and at that point, another engine was coming down that same street with the hoses they needed to deploy out there,” Banda explained.
Upon his arrival, DeLuna was struck by the severity of the situation as he witnessed the flames and chaos around him. “When I was able to come through the trees a little bit, I saw the actual flames, and I saw that there was basically nothing that I could do,” he recalled. He vividly remembered a man running frantically, screaming for help while suffering from severe burns, as onlookers shouted that others remained trapped inside the building.
Banda emphasized the critical wait for utility workers to shut off the gas valve, which delayed rescue efforts. “I think one of the hardest things was having to see Atmos struggling to find a shutoff valve. That’s why the firefighters couldn’t actually get in there,” he said, underscoring the frustration of waiting while lives were at stake.
Despite the dangerous conditions, DeLuna and several firefighters managed to enter a nearby apartment that had escaped the flames but suffered damage. Their focus shifted to rescuing pets left behind in the chaos. DeLuna described a particularly large Alaskan husky he encountered, recalling how he cautiously approached the dog to secure its harness. “I’m just right next to his face, and I’m going ‘please don’t bite me, please don’t bite me’,” he said, relieved to eventually lead the dog and others to safety.
Both officers expressed their sorrow over the loss of life from the explosion, particularly for Sylvia Collins, a local activist they knew personally. “I would see her outside, and she would just wave at us all the time. She was a big supporter,” Banda remembered.
Constable Michael Orozco, who oversees the Oak Cliff area, commended his officers for their composure and leadership during such a critical incident. “Being calm, taking command of the situation, and I’m just thankful that they’re alright,” he remarked, expressing pride in their actions amidst the tragedy.
The explosion, which occurred at The Clyde apartments near East 9th Street and North Patton Avenue, has left families devastated. In addition to the fatalities, five individuals were hospitalized, and many residents lost their belongings and homes.
Images captured by aerial footage showed the apartment building engulfed in flames, with shattered windows in nearby structures and debris scattered across the street. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion that shook their own apartments and saw a significant plume of smoke rising into the sky.
At the height of the emergency, over 100 firefighters were deployed to combat the five-alarm fire. Authorities confirmed that a gas leak had been reported just prior to the explosion, which was exacerbated by a construction crew inadvertently damaging a pipeline. In the aftermath, several lawsuits have been filed against Atmos Energy.
