“It’s snowing ash. It’s
unbelievable," reported one eyewitness to a FOX News affiliate. Debris was
scattered as natural gas tanks exploded in an industrial area of Dallas, Texas
this morning. Another eye witness reported the explosion like fireworks as fire
and smoke billowed 400-500 feet or more in the air, sending debris and shrapnel
with it. Despite hazy skies, a black column of smoke was visible from at least
10 miles.
The explosions were powerful; it sent a shower
of flaming debris on nearby freeways and buildings near downtown Dallas.
Officials say the fire has become a three-alarm blaze. The address of the
explosions is said to be at a gas vendor located at 500 South Industrial
Boulevard and Interstate 35-E in the Trinity River bottoms.
Firefighters were not going on the property
due to the dangers of explosions and flying debris. FOX News affiliate, KDFW-TV
shot this
footage
of the explosion. Two of the areas busiest highways, Interstate 30 and 35 have
been closed to motorists. The station also reported two people were taken to the
hospital for burns and breathing problems.
“The Environmental Protection Agency's
emergency responders were on the way to the scene, said Dave Bary, a spokesman
for the agency's regional office. He said they will assist in monitoring the
air, but had no information yet."
Apparently, Dallas
County’s main jail and criminal courts buildings are at the edge of the
evacuation zone. Operations were uninterrupted, according to Deputy Michael
Ortiz of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.
Ortiz said that sheriff's
officers were first on the scene to evacuate the area. Otherwise, he said the
only effect the explosions at the county justice complex was the rush to the
windows to view the spectacle.
"We are prepared to go
into any emergency mode that's needed, but we feel pretty secure here in the
jail," Ortiz said.
Information for this article was also
contributed by the Associated Press.
2007 by Avis Ward
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