What Now? – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
As the rubble piles up in the Highland Hills Apartments in Dallas, questions also rise.
“What will happen next,” asks Audelia Camarillo, a displaced resident. “What should we do as tenants who live here? Do you still want us to pay the rent? Where are you taking us? “
Camarillo and her family are among the 250 or so residents who live in two hotels in downtown Dallas.
The Red Cross is helping those affected by the explosion on Wednesday, which is believed to be a natural gas explosion in one of the buildings.
At least two other buildings in the complex suffered damage, including broken windows.
Camarillo wasn’t home when the building in front of hers exploded.
Four civilians were injured and were released from hospital, according to authorities.
“If that happened over the weekend, people would have died,” Camarillo said. “Our children are playing out here. This is supposed to be a safe community for our children and it isn’t. “
Local residents said they complained to the leasing office about maintenance issues, including the smell of natural gas.
“We’ve smelled like gas in my apartment for a long time and they haven’t done anything about it,” said Eric George on Wednesday. He said his unit was among those that exploded.
“Yes, it smelled like gas the night before,” said Camarillo.
The company that owns the property has provided NBC 5 with the following statement:
Mountain Creek Apts LP, the owner of Highland Hills Apartments in Dallas, was recently informed of the incident that occurred at the complex today. Emergency management officials and first responders are working on-site with property management staff to assess the situation and work with displaced residents on relocation opportunities. We are in the process of gathering information and waiting
Fire department report on the cause. Our thoughts and prayers go with all those affected by this situation.
It is still unclear what exactly caused the explosion and how many residents will be displaced.
A still shaken Nekeshia Williams, who was blown off her feet in the explosion, tells NBC 5 that she and her husband are staying at one of the provided hotels.
They drove to their complex on Thursday and asked the police if they could go to their unit to retrieve some of their belongings. They were told their building will likely be demolished as well.
Hoping to ease the strain on many residents, the nonprofit For Oak Cliff spent the day distributing groceries and toiletries to families affected by the blast.
The group is asking for donations from the community.
“We have clothes, pet food, diapers,” said Kevin White and Michael Berry of the group. “Feminine products when you need them, deodorants, soaps, even some detergents.”
[ad_1]