Two explosions in a Northeast Side neighborhood Tuesday night left five people hospitalized — at least three in critical condition, including a child — and prompted evacuations as CPS Energy investigates the cause.
San Antonio Fire Department crews were initially called just after 6 p.m. to the 15000 block of Preston Hollow Drive following reports of an explosion, where they found a home with significant structural damage and a fire that was quickly contained.
About two hours later, a second nearby home exploded while firefighters were still on scene, sending debris into the street and prompting a broader emergency response. Officials said multiple homes sustained heavy damage, and at least one may need to be demolished.
A total of five people were transported to the hospital with burn injuries. At least three were in critical condition, Fire Chief Valerie Frausto said. One of those patients is a child and remains in critical condition at University Health’s pediatric trauma unit, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday morning.
Following the second explosion, fire crews evacuated about 10 homes in the immediate area as a precaution while working to secure the scene. Utilities were shut off in the neighborhood near Thousand Oaks, and displaced residents were directed to a temporary shelter set up at the Northeast Senior Center.
CPS Energy said Wednesday that crews worked overnight to secure the area and continue to investigate what caused the explosions. Power was shut off as a precaution, and as of Wednesday morning, five customers remained without service.
The utility also deployed its Customer Response Unit to the neighborhood and a shelter to assist residents with questions and provide support, including help with temporary housing.
The cause of the explosions remains under investigation by the public utility, and officials have not confirmed what led to the blasts.
In a statement Thursday morning, District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte’s office said CPS Energy located and capped a gas leak overnight.
Frausto also pointed to a gas leak during on-scene media interviews Tuesday night.
“When there’s a gas leak, it’s very hard to detect, and especially under these conditions, there’s sometimes no odor,” she said.
In a statement following the incident, CPS Energy urged anyone who smells gas to leave their home immediately and call 911 or the utility’s emergency line at 210-353-4357.
“The safety of our customers is our priority as we conduct this work and we appreciate their understanding,” a spokesperson for the utility wrote.
The District 10 office stated that CPS has committed to reimbursing displaced residents for hotel costs and encouraged those in need of assistance to contact his office.
