Explosion and fire at Dallas apartment kills 3, injures 5

An explosion and massive fire at a Dallas apartment building on Thursday killed at least three people, including a child, and injured five others as firefighters were responding to a reported gas leak. The blast in the city's Oak Cliff neighborhood left the two-story complex a blackened shell and prompted an extensive search and recovery operation.

Dallas Fire-Rescue officials confirmed the fatalities at an evening news conference. Deputy Chief Mark Berry stated that the mission had shifted from rescue to recovery as dozens of firefighters combed through the smoldering rubble on the outskirts of downtown Dallas. Authorities did not provide an immediate number of missing persons hours after the flames were brought under control. Assistant Chief James Russ said the fire was contained but crews were continuing primary searches of the scene.

The explosion occurred while firefighters were en route to the building after a gas leak was reported. Deputy Chief Berry said, "We had the cavalry coming, but the explosion had already taken place." The natural gas provider Atmos Energy stated that fire officials informed them a construction crew unrelated to the company had damaged a pipeline...