Dallas

Gas Line Struck Sparking Huge Fire in Downtown Dallas

Two people received minor injuries when construction workers ruptured a natural gas line, sparking a large fire Friday in downtown Dallas, officials said.

Jason Evans, spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue, said a company doing work to expand Cesar Chavez Boulevard struck the gas line in the 2100 block of Main Street just before 3 p.m.

Several people working in the building nearest to the impact said they felt their building shake, and several windows shattered.

"It was a really loud pop, and then glass popping, and everyone was ducking and dodging," said Keane Ervin, who works for Dallas Water Utilities.

Two people were injured after a fire erupted when a gas line was struck at a construction site Friday afternoon in downtown Dallas, officials say.

The two people with injuries were evaluated by medics at the scene and did not go to the hospital, Evans said.

As many as 100 firefighters responded to the two-alarm fire, and Atmos Energy crews arrived to turn off the flow of natural gas, which then allowed firefighters to extinguish the fire.

Several roads were closed in the immediate area, including Main Street, Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Commerce Street. Police also closed a portion of Central Expressway and Interstate 45, near Elm and Main streets.

Dallas Fire-Rescue crews are responding to a structure fire in downtown Dallas. Jason Evans with DFR says a company struck a gas line in the 2100 block of Main Street, near Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

As of 9 p.m. only Main Street remained closed.

"Friday afternoons are usually pretty dull around here, but not today," Teri Jordan said.

Dallas Fire-Rescue crews have contained a large structure fire in downtown Dallas.

NBC 5's Scott Gordon contributed to this report.

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