At least six people were injured after the explosion of a house on Sunday morning (13) in Austin, Texas, which completely destroyed one residence and severely damaged another, according to the Austin Fire Department.
Two of the injured people were inside the house, said Shannon Koesterer, spokesman for the local emergency service. One is in critical condition and the other in serious condition.
A person who was in a neighboring house was also injured and is in critical condition, Koesterer said. Two firefighters were injured as they worked at the scene, and someone else was also injured, but did not have to be taken to the hospital.
The explosion, which took place before 11:30 am local time, caused reported damage to at least 24 homes. Authorities also reported that there was a flame vehicle at the explosion address, but the fire has already been controlled.
The electricity was restored in most of the area, except for the most damaged houses, said Thayer Smith, assistant chief of the Austin Fire Department.
“We will continue here for several hours,” said Smith. “The main street will probably be released within an hour, but this street will be closed for the rest of the day.”
Authorities confirmed that all residents of the area have been located, and the Fire Department is investigating the cause of the explosion, they said. Smith added that they do not believe that there will be a criminal investigation.
Crash was heard throughout the city
The explosion was so strong that it could be heard even in the suburbs of Austin.
The Cedar Park Police Department, a city about 30 kilometers north of Austin, said the bang was heard and felt throughout the city.
In Georgetown nearby, there were also reports of the noise, according to the head of division of Austin Fire Department, Wayne Parrish.
A resident near the house, in an interview with affiliate of CNN, Keye said she heard a “very loud sound” at the time of the explosion.
“I thought maybe a branch had fallen on my roof,” said Carol Hassell. “I went to the backyard and the back door had been broken. I didn’t see anything in the house, so I went to the front and realized that all my windows had been shattered, as did the front door, and there are extensive damage to the lining.”
Hassell also reported that the garage doors were broken, as did the locks cracks.
“I’m just grateful to be fine,” she said.
Niki Fletcher, who also lives in the neighborhood, described the explosion as scary.
“It looked like a tree had fallen on the house,” he told Keye. “The house trembled. The cat was terrified.”
This content was originally published in an explosion at home leaves at least 6 injured in Austin, Texas on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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