The Preston Hollow neighborhood in San Antonio‘s Northeast side has been grappling with the aftermath of two devastating home explosions that occurred on April 21. The incidents, caused by a natural gas leak have left residents in a state of fear, uncertainty, and disruption according to Councilman Marc Whyte.
The explosions at 15066 Preston Hollow Drive and 15058 Preston Hollow Drive injured five people, including a CPS Energy worker. The incidents have sparked a federal investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) which can take up to 24 months to complete. Meanwhile, residents are left with unanswered questions and a sense of insecurity.
The Explosions: A Timeline of Events
The first explosion occurred at 6:04 PM on April 21, damaging a single-family residence and seriously injuring three people. The San Antonio Fire Department responded swiftly, extinguishing the fire by 6:09 PM. CPS Energy officials arrived at the scene by 6:32 PM and identified a gas leak in the service line to an adjacent home at 15062 Preston Hollow Drive.
Tragically, a second explosion rocked the neighborhood at 8:25 PM this time at 15058 Preston Hollow Drive about 65 feet away from the first explosion. This incident injured two residents and another CPS Energy employee. The leak was finally isolated and the service line disconnected and plugged by 1:40 AM the following day.
Residents’ Frustrations and Demands
Residents have expressed their frustrations over the lack of communication and the slow pace of recovery. Kevin Johnson a resident, highlighted that homes adjacent to the explosions are still inaccessible. “What can the city do to speed things up?” he asked, pointing to the remnant debris as a constant reminder of the tragedy.
Tony Flores representing the Preston Hollow Homeowners Association echoed these sentiments, calling for transparency, accountability, communication, and a clear plan forward to restore confidence in the community. He raised concerns about the aging gas infrastructure and the potential interaction between mature tree roots and underground utilities.
The City’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
City officials have been limited in their ability to provide specific details due to the ongoing NTSB investigation. However, Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez explained that the lead agency for information depends on the nature of the incident. In this case, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was not activated, as most incidents do not require such coordination, according to San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto.
CPS Energy the municipally owned utility serving Bexar County, has provided support to affected residents, including a mobile support center, emotional support resources, lodging, and gas detectors. Chief Customer Strategy Officer Deanna Hardwick reported that these services were available for about 10 days following the incident.
As the community continues to seek answers and demand accountability, the city and CPS Energy are navigating the complexities of the investigation and the residents’ calls for a clearer path forward.