Large explosion destroys Dallas apartment building; at least 1 person hospitalized, DFR says

A large explosion at a Dallas apartment building prompted a massive response from Dallas Fire-Rescue on Thursday afternoon. At least one person was injured, officials say. 

The address, 409 E 9th St., corresponds to the El Ricardo apartment building. It is located just east of the Bishop Arts neighborhood, north of the Dallas Zoo and south of downtown.

Video from CBS News Texas Chopper shows a severely damaged building with flames and thick black smoke pouring from the wreckage. 

In a statement, Dallas Fire-Rescue said the fire was the result of a reported explosion, but the details are still unconfirmed. Nearly 100 firefighters are on the scene, with the first call coming at 12:47 p.m.

By 2:30 p.m. 71 units were on scene the 4-alarm incident.

One person has been taken to a hospital, DFR said, but the number could change depending on how many people were home at the time of the incident.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a social media post that he’s closely monitoring situation and his “prayers are with those injured, their families, and all those who have suffered loss from this tragic event.”

Witnesses recall hearing blast, seeing young girl get rescued

CBS News Texas reporter Marissa Armas spoke with witnesses who heard the explosion and rushed to the scene. 

One person said he heard a huge boom and saw several people running and yelling. He said a man saved a girl from one of the buildings. 

A second witness shared a similar account. 

Oliver Jimenez said he lives across the street from the incident and was about to leave his own apartment when he felt his building shake. He said he rushed to see what had happened and saw a “little girl barely getting out of the debris.”

That’s when the fire got worse, Jimenez said.

“We started running,” he said. “It’s kinda hard to process it.” 

This is a developing story and will be updated.