A powerful explosion and fire tore through a North Side San Antonio home Tuesday evening, sending one child and two adults to the hospital and leaving the house so damaged that it may have to be torn down, according to the San Antonio Fire Department.
Fire crews were called out around 6 p.m. to the 15000 block of Preston Hollow Drive near Thousand Oaks Drive. Investigators believe a buildup of natural gas likely triggered the blast, KSAT reported. Firefighters knocked the flames down quickly, but the structure itself did not fare as well, with officials describing heavy damage throughout the home.
One child and two adults were taken to the hospital. As of Tuesday night, officials had not released their conditions.
Officials urge caution after possible gas buildup
The city’s utility is using incidents like this as a reminder that if you smell gas, you should not try to play detective. Instead, get out immediately and call 911, then contact CPS Energy at (210) 353-HELP (4357), according to CPS Energy.
CPS Energy also warns that flipping light switches, using a cell phone, or striking a match can all create sparks that might ignite a gas leak. In other words, if you catch that telltale odor, your safest move is to leave everything as is and get outside.
Why this matters locally
San Antonio has seen the worst-case scenario from residential gas explosions before. A 2021 home blast led to a multi-million dollar jury award and put a harsh spotlight on gas-line safety and maintenance. The 2025 verdict against the utility helped ramp up scrutiny on inspections and system upkeep, according to reporting by San Antonio Report.
Tuesday’s explosion is a fresh reminder that problems in household gas systems are not just technical issues or legal headaches, but real safety threats for people inside and around those homes.
What’s next
Fire officials said the damaged home will likely be demolished, and crews stayed on scene while the structure was evaluated, KSAT reported.
City agencies and CPS Energy are expected to release more information as investigators sort through what happened inside the home and hospitals provide updates on the conditions of the three people injured in the blast.
