First responders, neighbors assess damage after home explosion in northwest Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) --- On Monday, people started assessing the damage after an explosion leveled a house in northwest Austin over the weekend.
The home is on Double Spur Loop near US-183 and Spicewood Springs. Several people said they felt the explosion miles away.
On Sunday, first responders received several calls about a loud explosion in the area. According to the Austin Fire Department, a house collapsed from an explosion.
"I heard this big blow up kind of noise. All of a sudden, when I looked at the sky, I saw this big cloud, brown and yellow color."
Prabha John, Neighbor
First responders called this an isolated incident and said a total of six people were hurt. Texas Gas Service said the home did not have natural gas services.
"This home does have propane. No underground gas service to any of these residences, but they do have propane tanks," said Austin Fire Department Assistance Chief Thayer Smith.
The Travis County Fire Marshal released a statement on Monday about the situation.
“Yesterday’s tragic events will remain under investigation until all relevant facts and evidence are gathered, examined, and confirmed. Until the investigation is complete, this office will not release any information or speculate on causes. We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience."
Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell
Howell said the office would not comment further until the investigation is complete.
"The first thing the investigators are going to be looking for is, what was the source of the fuel for the explosion? Natural gas or propane, or even spilled gasoline or something within the home," said fire and explosion investigation expert Richard Meier.
Meier said it doesn't take much to ignite a flammable gas or vapor.
"Innocent things such as flipping a light switch, static electricity, an electric appliance turning itself on or off, like a refrigerator or a dishwasher," Meier said. "That can trigger the explosion."
'Such a disruption'
Neighbors and first responders spent the day looking at how bad the damage is. Monica Story, an insurance agent, said her client lives nearby.
"The power of it just like sucked the house in, because windows and doors are condensed in," Story said. "Broken glass everywhere."
Story compared this to a scene from a tornado. These homes and the people in them are now on a journey to rebuild.
"It's such a disruption to people's lives. You just don't think about that. The shock effect of how it, like you said, it impacts people so much."
Monica Story, Insurance Agent
An elementary school about a half-mile away also felt the impacts of the explosion. Round Rock ISD said it blew out windows in the cafeteria and at least one classroom at Lauren Mountain Elementary School.
On Sunday, crews cleaned up the area and boarded up the windows.