Dallas Apartment Explosion: 3 dead and 'everyone is accounted for'
DALLAS - The focus is shifting to recovery and an investigation after a gas explosion at an apartment building in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas.
At least three people are confirmed dead and five were injured, including one who was critically injured.
Live Updates
1 p.m.: Everyone is accounted for
RAW: Update on Deadly Dallas Apartment Explosion
Dallas Fire Dept. gives the latest update on a deadly apartment explosion.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Justin Ball said his crews searched the explosion site with cadaver dogs and drones until 2 a.m. on Friday.
The apartment building had 22 units and 19 were occupied. Based on the resident list and conversations with residents and their family members, "everyone is accounted for," the chief said.
He said there are still only three confirmed fatalities.
Dallas Apartment Explosion: What we know about the victims
Three people, including a toddler, died and five others were injured after an explosion at an Oak Cliff apartment complex in Dallas. That number could climb as there are still people unaccounted for.
12:00 p.m.: Donations for the families
How to help the victims of the Dallas explosion
Many families were displaced by Thursday's explosion, including some who live nearby. A collection drive is underway to help those people.
Mission Oak Cliff is holding a donation drive to help those who lost everything in Thursday’s explosion and fire.
The organization is asking for water, non-perishable food, clothing, diapers, wipes, blankets and gift cards.
Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday and then again next week on Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mission Oak Cliff, which is a ministry of the Cliff Temple Baptist Church, is located at 111 S. Beckley Avenue.
Dallas Apartment Explosion: How to help families affected by the fire
A Dallas nonprofit is collecting donations for the victims and the families affected by Thursday’s deadly apartment explosion.
10:30 a.m.: Victim autopsies
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said the medical examiner has the bodies of several victims killed in Thursday's explosion.
"We're going through the process of IDing those folks. They were autopsied this morning. We'll get more information shortly on that," he said. "And our hearts go out to the families, and we won't be announcing publicly the names of the people until we've notified next of kin."
Jenkins said that at this point there are still only three deaths.
10:00 a.m.: What caused the explosion?
A crew from the National Transportation Safety Board will work to determine the cause of the explosion.
There are still questions about a construction crew that reportedly hit a pipeline.
According to Atmos Energy, it received a report at 12:51 p.m. on Thursday that a construction crew had damaged a natural gas pipeline near 409 E. 9th Street.
However, there are no records of active construction permits for the site. It's still not clear who was doing work or what company was responsible.
Images do show a utility truck at the scene that was partially destroyed by the fire.
9 a.m.: New this morning
Dallas apartment residents still missing after explosion
FOX 4 continues team coverage of a deadly gas explosion in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Several people are still unaccounted for after an explosion and massive fire at an apartment complex. At least three people have been confirmed dead and five were injured.
Overnight, recovery crews cleared out what was left of the structure. The lot now looks nearly empty.
So far, officials have confirmed that three people dead – two women and one child. Five people were taken to the hospital. One person is in critical condition.
A Thursday evening press conference did not address how many residents are still unaccounted for.
A team from the NTSB is heading to Dallas on Friday to investigate the cause of the blast.
Officials confirmed a gas leak was reported just before the explosion.
Atmos Energy also said a construction crew not related to the company damaged a pipeline.
Dallas Apartment Explosion
Families lose belongings, loved ones in Dallas explosion
An explosion at a Dallas apartment complex has left at least three people dead and many without their belongings, pets or a place to call home. FOX 4's Amelia Jones and David Sentendrey have more about the ongoing recovery efforts and what residents are saying about the tragedy.
The backstory:
The explosion and massive fire happened around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at The Clyde apartments, which is near the corner of East 9th Street and North Patton Avenue.
Neighbors said they heard a loud boom, and they felt their own apartments shake.
Images from SKY 4 showed the 20-unit apartment building fully engulfed in flames. The windows on neighboring buildings appeared to be blown out and debris was scattered across the street. There also appeared to be a utility truck that was affected by the fire.
A large plume of black smoke was initially visible in Dallas for miles.
At peak, there were more than 100 firefighters at the scene of the five-alarm fire.
Dallas gas explosion at apartment complex leaves 3 dead, sends multiple to hospital
A suspected gas explosion and fire were reported on Thursday at an apartment building in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Officials confirmed that at least three people were killed in the explosion, including a child.
The Source: Information in this story comes from Dallas Fire-Rescue, the Dallas Police Department, Dallas ISD, and interviews with witnesses.