An explosion rocked a Grand Prairie home on North Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard last Saturday, resulting in injuries to a father and his two children. The Grand Prairie Fire Department reported to WFAA that the blast, which occurred around 11:30 a.m., led to the family being rushed to Parkland Hospital with burn injuries. A Hazmat team was called to the scene as a safety measure, despite the uncertainty regarding hazardous materials.
Neighboring resident Adolfo Angel Rodriguez responded to the sounds of the explosion and saw his next-door neighbors engulfed in flames. Rodriguez told FOX 4, "The dad’s face and body were completely burned, as was his son." In the midst of the turmoil, he attempted to aid his neighbors, dousing surrounding homes with a hose to prevent further fire spread and waiting for emergency responders. Rodriguez noted how he refrained from covering the burn victims with water, despite their pleas, understanding the potential lethal consequences of such actions.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation by the fire authorities. Battalion Chief Wendell Grider revealed to reporters that although a gas leak is believed to be the cause of the disaster, the exact nature of the leak has yet to be identified. The source of the leak is also being investigated by local utility provider Atmos to determine whether it falls under their responsibility.
