More evacuations were ordered today for a northwest Dallas neighborhood, less than a week after a deadly natural gas explosion tragically killed a young girl.
The latest mandatory evacuation was announced around 2:00 a.m. for about 30 homes located in the 9800 and 9900 blocks of Bowman Boulevard and the 9900 block of Chireno Street.
The evacuations were ordered after Atmos Energy notified the Dallas Fire Department that it had discovered a natural gas leak in front of Fire Station 43 in the 2800 block of Lombardy Lane.
February 23rd Natural Gas Explosion Tragically Killed Preteen Girl and Injured 4 Family Members
Atmos crews detected the leak as they were performing spot checks in connection with Friday’s fatal natural gas explosion.
That blast was reported around 6:30 a.m., February 23rd, at a house in the 3500 block of Espanola drive.
Fire crews responding to the explosion found 12-year-old Linda Rogers unconscious in the front yard of the home. She was taken to Parkland Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Four other members of her family were injured in the blast. All were released from the hospital that same day.
The explosion prompted a mandatory evacuation order for about 300 nearby residents and 700 children attending Foster Elementary School.
While that evacuation order was lifted Saturday, more than 90 residents of a nearby apartment complex were forced to leave their homes on Sunday evening after Atmos Energy discovered another natural gas leak.
Residents Complained of Natural Gas Smell and Skyrocketing Bills Months Before Tragedy
Two earlier house fires on Durango Drive, just behind the site of Friday’s tragedy, had already caused concern among those living in the area.
Jonathan Gonzalez, whose father suffered burns in one of the earlier fires, told NBC 5 that his family had contacted Atmos Energy on two occasions earlier in the month to report the smell of natural gas.
Some residents said they had been smelling gas outside their homes for months, but hadn’t reported the odor. Others said they had complained to Atmos about skyrocketing natural gas bills.
Atmos Energy Continues to Replace Pipelines in the Area
Atmos Energy is now working to replace 2 1/2 miles of pipeline throughout the area, including natural gas mains and service lines. About 2/3 of that work is now complete.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Texas Railroad Commission are investigating the deadly explosion and the house fires. The investigation is expected to take anywhere from six months to a year.
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Our Undefeated Pipeline Explosion Lawyers continue to monitor the situation in Dallas and will post an update should more information become available.
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