The first victim of Thursday’s Oak Cliff apartment explosion that killed three has been identified, attorneys for her family confirmed Friday.
Paul Wingo with Hamilton Wingo LLP said Sylvia Collins was among those killed in the blast.
“The family is devastated by this loss and is focused on mourning Sylvia while seeking answers regarding the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” Wingo said.
Fire crews were preparing evacuation
Fire crews arrived at 12:47 p.m. Thursday for a reported gas leak at The Clyde – formerly the El Ricardo Apartments – a two‑story complex at Patton Avenue and East 9th Street. The building exploded as firefighters prepared to evacuate residents, authorities said.
The NTSB is now leading the investigation because the incident involves a pipeline.
Atmos Energy said a construction crew unrelated to the company damaged a natural gas line near the property at 12:51 p.m.
Gas service in the immediate area has been shut off, and Atmos crews remain on site.
Search operations conclude Friday
Dallas Fire Chief Justin Ball said firefighters were 10 to 15 minutes into their response when the explosion occurred. He said the cause has not been confirmed, and Dallas Fire‑Rescue will not speculate until investigations are complete.
Aerial images showed the building heavily damaged, with flames and thick black smoke. By 2:30 p.m., 71 units and 120 firefighters were on scene, and crews contained the blaze by 4 p.m. Dallas Fire‑Rescue also evacuated residents from a neighboring apartment complex and a nearby house.
Officials said search operations continued until about 2 a.m. Friday and resumed a few hours later, using drones, cadaver dogs, and urban search‑and‑rescue teams.
By Friday afternoon, the search was complete, and crews would not re‑enter the rubble.
Death toll remains at three
Of the 22 apartment units, 19 were occupied at the time of the explosion. The death toll remains at three – two women and one child – and no additional fatalities have been reported. Ten displaced families are being housed in a hotel with long‑term assistance underway.
City leaders, including Mayor Eric Johnson, expressed condolences and pledged support for affected residents.
First lawsuit filed against Atmos
Meanwhile, the first lawsuit related to the explosion has been filed.
Kherkher Garcia LLP has filed a suit against Atmos Energy Corp., accusing the company of responsibility for the blast. The lawsuit represents Onecimo Ponce Mendoza, a resident who was asleep when the explosion occurred and was badly hurt while trying to escape.
The lawsuit says Atmos Energy didn’t properly check for gas problems and didn’t warn residents that a leak might be happening. The firm’s founding partner, Jesus Garcia Jr., said Atmos has a pattern of safety failures that have led to other tragedies.
The suit asks for money to cover Mendoza’s pain, injuries, medical bills, and long‑term effects from the explosion.
Atmos has not yet responded to the lawsuit.