North Texas town rocked by a powerful house explosion that injured at least five

  • A home in the 100 block of Arabian Road in Waxahachie blew up at around 8am Monday 
  • Two people who had been inside were airlifted to a hospital; three others were treated on the scene
  • Nine neighboring homes were damaged as a result of the blast and falling debris 
  • Waxahachie firefighters say a natural gas leak may have been at fault 

By Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:25 EST, 21 September 2015 | Updated: 19:58 EST, 21 September 2015

At least five people were injured, two of them seriously, after a powerful early-morning explosion destroyed a home in Waxahachie, Texas.

Police say a home in the 100 block of Arabian Road unexpectedly blew up at around 8am local time and burst into flames, raining debris on neighboring houses in the Saddlebrook Estates section of the city.

Two of the victims who had been inside the doomed house were airlifted to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Their conditions remain unknown at this time.

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Early morning blast: A home in the 100 block of Arabian Road in Waxahachie, Texas, blew up at around 8am local time, raining debris on neighboring houses

Early morning blast: A home in the 100 block of Arabian Road in Waxahachie, Texas, blew up at around 8am local time, raining debris on neighboring houses

‹ Slide me ›

Before and after: According to the real estate site Zillow.com, the ravaged residence was a three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home that was built in 2010. Slide left to see the aftermath of the blast��

Casualties: Two people who had been inside the house were airlifted to an area hospital to be treated for injuries 

Casualties: Two people who had been inside the house were airlifted to an area hospital to be treated for injuries 

Cause probed: Waxahachie firefighters say a natural gas leak may have been at fault

Cause probed: Waxahachie firefighters say a natural gas leak may have been at fault

Rubble: Nine other homes in the area sustained damage as a result of the blast

Rubble: Nine other homes in the area sustained damage as a result of the blast

A third person was treated at the scene and later transported to Baylor Scott and White Medical Center.

Nine other homes in the area sustained damage as a result of the blast, and at least two more people were treated for minor injuries, according to Waxahachie City spokeswoman Amy Hollywood.

The cause of the blast is under investigation, but Waxahachie firefighters said a gas leak may have been at fault.

The explosion razed the house on Arabian Road to the ground, with only a small portion of the wood frame left standing.

Photos and NBC DFW chopper video from the scene show the dwelling at 113 Arabian Road flattened, with a wide field of debris around it.

A local resident said the blast could be felt 10 miles away from the site of the explosion. 

According to the real estate site Zillow.com, the ravaged residence was a three-bedroom, two-bath single-family home that was built in 2010.

Cracked: A nearby house is seen with pieces of its facade missing after the earth-shaking blast 

Cracked: A nearby house is seen with pieces of its facade missing after the earth-shaking blast 

Ripped off the hinges: A garage door is pictured hanging by a thread at a neighboring house 

Ripped off the hinges: A garage door is pictured hanging by a thread at a neighboring house 

Scene of devastation: Photos and chopper video from the scene show the dwelling flattened, with a wide field of debris around it

Scene of devastation: Photos and chopper video from the scene show the dwelling flattened, with a wide field of debris around it

Officials from the local utility company Atmos Energy have cleared everyone from the blast site 

Officials from the local utility company Atmos Energy have cleared everyone from the blast site 

Disaster zone: The American Red Cross will be providing assistance to displaced residents

Disaster zone: The American Red Cross will be providing assistance to displaced residents

Its estimated worth before today's explosion was just under $149,000.

The Waxahachie Daily Light reported that sensors picked up gas in the area around 9.30am, prompting officials from the local utility company Atmos Energy to clear everyone from the blast site as a precaution.

'First and foremost our thoughts are with the families affected by today’s incident. We want to express our sincere concern,' Jennifer Altieri, Atmos Energy spokesperson, said in a statement. 

'As part of normal operating procedures when Atmos Energy is called to the scene of an incident, we work closely with our first responders to make the area safe and then conduct leak surveys in the area to identify if gas was involved. At this point it is too soon to tell what caused this incident.'

The American Red Cross will be providing assistance to displaced residents. The Salvation Army is also on the scene to help those impacted by the explosion. 

Authorities are currently allowing people who were evacuated from their homes to go back in and take care of pets, collect medications and other necessities they may need, reported WFAA.

 

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