On Sunday, a home explosion in Northwest Austin badly damaged homes in a residential area off U.S. 183 near McNeil Road, leaving two people in critical condition and four others injured.
At 11:23 a.m., multiple emergency authorities from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, the Austin Police Department, and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a complaint in the 10600 block of Double Spur Loop. They discovered a two-story residence that appeared to have exploded and fallen to the ground, as well as a neighbouring property that had sustained major damage and collapse. The debris caused spot fires in yards, and one of the homes had a vehicle on fire.
EMS carried two persons from the explosion residence to the hospital; one was reported in critical condition and the other in serious but stable condition during a mid-afternoon press conference with police and fire authorities.
In addition, a person from the neighbouring house who collapsed was rushed to the hospital and is in critical condition.
Travis County EMS spokesperson Shannon Koesterer reported that three people, including two firefighters, were treated for minor injuries.
The Austin Fire Department’s assistant chief, Thayer Smith, said the cause of the explosion is being investigated, but it is expected to be a fire inquiry rather than a criminal investigation. He stated neither of the homes had subterranean gas service, but both had propane tanks.
According to Smith, at least 24 residences in the neighbourhood were damaged, with the majority of them having blown out windows or garage doors. The roadway was scheduled to stay closed for the rest of the day, although power had been restored in the neighbourhood.
Neighbours reported that the explosion shook houses, blew out window screens, and opened kitchen cabinets. According to AFD, the roar could be heard as far as Georgetown.