1 dead, several hurt in Lubbock house explosion

LUBBOCK, Texas - A house explosion and fire in Lubbock left one person dead and four others injured, including a firefighter.

People in the neighborhood just south of the Texas Tech campus said they felt the explosion Tuesday night. Windows on surrounding homes were broken.

Three victims were taken to a hospital in serious condition. The firefighter had non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

“It appears we’re getting some high-level readings on some of our gas monitors. It appears this could be a hazardous material scene. We’re asking everybody to stay out of the area, and especially out of the smoke until we find out for sure what’s going on,” said Steve Holland, a Lubbock Fire Department division chief.

The fire department is also working with police. Holland said the house is a possible crime scene.