Emergency officials: 1 person unaccounted for after natural gas line explodes south of Dallas

1 person unaccounted for in Texas gas explosion

CLEBURNE, Texas — Two emergency management officials say one person remains missing after a natural gas line exploded southwest of Dallas.

Officials from Johnson and Hood counties say there are no known fatalities from the blast in Cleburne. Hood County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Fine says the missing person is a subcontractor who was part of a crew digging holes for utility poles.

Cleburne City Manager Chester Nolen initially told The Associated Press that at least three people were dead. But after fire officials and the gas line operator extinguished the fire, Nolen said they were unsure if anyone was killed.

The fire spewed towering flames into the air for about two hours before valves shut off the gas supply.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

CLEBURNE, Texas (AP) — Officials now say they don’t know if anyone was killed when a natural gas line exploded in a rural area south of Dallas.

Cleburne City Manager Chester Nolen initially told The Associated Press that at least three people were dead. But after fire officials and the gas line operator extinguished the fire, he said they were unsure if anyone was killed.

The fire spewed towering flames into the air for about two hours, preventing rescuers from determining how many people may have been killed or injured.

Nolen says workers apparently hit the underground line about 50 miles south of Dallas while digging on Monday. He says the heat was “unbearable,” even 300 yards from the flames. A column of gray smoke was visible miles away.