Feds Investigating Gas Explosion in Texas Home that Killed 12-Year-Old Girl

Federal investigators are looking into an explosion in a Texas home that left a 12-year-old girl dead and four other people injured. Firefighters said it was the third such incident in as many days.

Firefighters in Dallas, Texas, responded to a call Friday night about a gas explosion on the northwest side of the city. The explosion killed 12-year-old Linda “Michellita” Rogers and injured four other people who were in the home at the time of the explosion. The explosion forced the evacuation of 300 homes in the neighborhood, NBCDFW reported. Hours later, officials lifted the evacuation order and allowed families to return home.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced that three investigators will arrive on the scene on Sunday morning to try and sort out what happened.

“This is the third such incident related to a gas explosion over the last three days,” Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Jason Evans told the local NBC affiliate. He said their department is already working to determine the cause of this explosion and two others that occurred elsewhere in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday.

Rescuers told reporters that found Michellita in her father’s arms and he desperately attempted to save her life. Her cheerleading coach, LaToya Gibson told the reporter, “She was an amazing kid. Fun and sassy and she kept me on my toes all the time.”

Officials with Uplift Williams Preparatory School released the following statement:

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we’re writing you about the passing of Linda Rogers, an Uplift Williams 6th grade scholar. The Rogers family has been a long-time family at Uplift Williams and experienced a tragic loss early this morning during a gas leak explosion at their home. The explosion destroyed their home, injured multiple family members, and took the life of their daughter, who was one of our scholars.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for the Uplift Williams community. We shared this news with our middle school scholars and recognize our primary or high school scholars may learn about this incident and need support processing their emotions. Throughout the day, our Social Counseling team was available to scholars and staff and will continue to provide support next week. We are also providing some resources from our counseling team to help talk with your child about grief.

A spokesperson for Atmos Energy (natural gas provider) declined to comment on the investigation. CEO Mike Haefner issued a statement which read, “We are deeply saddened by the death of the young girl at 3534 Espanola Drive this morning. We express our sincere heartfelt condolences to her family.”