Explosions Rock Downtown Dallas

[TexasStooge]

Earlier this morning, there were series of explosions that took place near Downtown Dallas. Gas tanks that were used for welding were blown up one by one, closing down I-30 and I-35. A news reporter from ABC affiliate WFAA-TV said he got hit in the head by one of the pebble-size projectiles that can be seen more than 200 yards away. Evacuations are enforced and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) buses are rerouted and DART light rails are shut down in that particular area. Only 2 people were injured, but no deaths occured so far.

Click here to read full story. (Earlier Footage)

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[TexasStooge]

According to WFAA-TV, this all started with a single gas tank on a truck that contained acetylene that went up in flames, and then a chain reaction occured. Most of the fire is contained, but the Southwest Industrial Gases warehouse is a total loss.

[HURAKAN]

Scary situation. When I read the headline of your thread I thought about a terrorist attack. 9/11 will always be present in my head.

[JonathanBelles]

I just saw this as breaking news on the news. From what I heard, One gas tank exploded and then another one. Sooner or later autos in the immediate area exploded.

Why are evacuations enforced? Is it expected to get worse?

[TexasStooge]

I just saw this as breaking news on the news. From what I heard, One gas tank exploded and then another one. Sooner or later autos in the immediate area exploded.

Why are evacuations enforced? Is it expected to get worse?

According to HazMat, some of the gases near the explosions can be lethal if inhaled.

[DaylilyDawn]

My Home town of Bartow, FL had a fire recently that this reminds me of. It was at the Precision Air manufacturing plant. This place manufactured air filters. It was a very intense fire that turned out to be arson.

[TexasStooge]

A 3rd person has been treated for injuries in the recent series of explosions. In the latest Press Conference, Lt. Joel Lavender of Dallas Fire-Rescue said the explosion was ruled an accident.
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Here's some raw footage of the explosions courtesy of ABC affiliate WFAA-TV:

- The First 10 Minutes
- Mike Coscia's Close Encounter (Full Version)
- Another View of the Explosions

[Opal storm]

I saw this on the news this morning, the footage was unbelievable. The explosions launched debris all over the area.

[TexasStooge]

Here's some more info on the explosions that took place: The cause of the explosion was a "pig-tailing" connection that failed, thus resulting in a canister igniting. The 2 workers were using a water hose to cool down the tanks, but the canisters exploded, leaving burn marks on the 2 workers.

The truck driver spoke exclusively with WFAA-TV reporters about what happened Wednesday morning. It was a typical delivery day, but he heard some kind of hissing sound, and then someone yelled "FIRE!" That's when he abandoned his truck and within seconds, the explosions started.

"I kept running," says truck driver
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WFAA-TV said that there were lack of city inspections at the Southwest Industrial Gases company for 5 years. Companies like this were supposed to get safety inspections every year, but a further investigation said otherwise.

[TexasStooge]

Businesses pick up the pieces

By STEVE THOMPSON / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — As officials continued their investigation into a series of explosions that shook downtown Dallas, nearby business owners were picking through the charred and melted pieces that remained.

A plastic clock was shriveled and melted to the wall beside Mike Gonzalez’s office located next to a gas supply company on South Industrial Boulevard.

Full Story Here
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Why didn't a business like this have a fire suppression system?