Dallas rescuers search for victims after gas explosion destroys building and ignites blaze

Nearly 100 firefighters responded to a large apartment complex fire in Dallas after a natural gas explosion ignited the blaze. Flames and black smoke rose above the buildings as debris from a collapsed structure piled on the ground. Firefighters used hoses to cool smoking wreckage and moved burned lumber as they searched for possible victims. Crews also used ladders and water streams from upper windows to control the fire. The fire was contained, but firefighters continued primary searches on site. A drone was deployed to scan the area for victims. Four people were taken to the hospital with injuries, and the number of possible fatalities remained unknown. Nearby streets were filled with firetrucks, ambulances, and police vehicles.

"Nearly 100 firefighters battled a large fire that erupted on Thursday at an apartment complex in Dallas, where debris from one collapsed building lay heaped on the ground while flames and black smoke billowed into the sky. News video showed dozens of firefighters at the scene. Some had hoses trained on piles of smoking debris while others lifted and moved lumber and other burned wreckage as if searching for people underneath."

"A natural gas explosion initially caused the fire, the Dallas fire rescue assistant chief, James Russ, said at a televised press conference. The fire is contained, but our members are still working on the scene to do primary searches, Russ said. We put a drone in the air to canvass the area to see if we see any victims or anything around."

"Four people had been taken to the hospital with injuries, Russ said, though he did not know what condition they were in. It was unknown how many possible fatalities we have, he added. Police and firefighting crews respond to the scene of a large fire at an apartment complex in Dallas on 28 May 2026. Photograph: Gabriela Passos/AP A nearby street was lined with firetrucks, ambulances and police vehicles with their lights flashing."

"Julie Jensen said she was at home less than a block from the building when she heard a noise like an explosion that left her ears ringing. I was sitting on my couch watching TV stuff flew off our walls, Jensen said. Jensen said she saw rising smoke and neighbors running when she looked out the window. She grabbed her family's cat and left, finding a nearby parking lot to wait until she knew it was safe to return."

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