MANOR, Texas, (March 26, 2020) – An explosion in a Manor neighborhood critically injured three people on Thursday evening. The incident occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. on the 11400 block of Austex Acres Ln., according to Travis County ESD12 and Travis County EMS authorities.
The three victims reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries, including severe burns to approximately 40% of their bodies. Two were flown to local hospitals for emergency treatment, while the third individual was transported by ambulance.
According to Travis County ESD12 Chief Ryan Smith, there was significant damage to the structure, and the incident is being investigated.
Gas Explosions
A gas explosion is a violent and incredibly dangerous event. Unfortunately, these incidents happen more often than most people realize. If an explosion happens in your home or at your workplace, those present are put at risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries not only in the blast, but from the resulting fires that often accompany it.
According to the American Gas Association’s 2019 Fact Sheet, nearly 69 million homes in the U.S. use natural gas, and 59 million use it to provide heat. While natural gas is a more efficient energy source than electricity on a full-fuel cycle basis, it is extremely combustible when mixed with air and an ignition source.
In the event of a gas leak, gas and air will begin to mix. As gas continues to escape, the ratio of gas-to-air increases and the pressure increases. When this ratio reaches a certain level, any spark – even a single spark caused by static electricity – could ignite the gas and the pressure could cause a violent explosion, blowing out windows and damaging the structure.
Causes of Gas Explosions
Some of the most common causes of gas explosions include:
- Damaged gas lines
- Leaking hoses
- Defective or improperly maintained control valves or connectors
- Defective or improperly maintained gas meters
Injuries Caused by Gas Explosions
Natural gas explosions and the resulting fires can cause severe and potentially fatal injuries, including:
- First, second, or third-degree burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal organ damage
- Amputation or loss of limbs
- Back, spine, and spinal cord injuries
- Asphyxiation
Because the specific facts and circumstances for each incident will vary significantly, it is crucial to hire an experienced injury attorney to investigate and determine which party might be liable.
If a defective part or product caused the explosion, your attorney will identify all parties along the chain of distribution to determine who was involved in supplying the defective part or product.
It is possible that more than one defendant could be responsible for a gas leak and the resulting explosion. For example, if natural gas leaked due to a defective regulator valve and a spark from faulty electrical wiring in your home caused the gas to ignite, you could potentially pursue action against the two separate entities responsible.
Once your attorney has identified any and all liable parties, they will pursue damages for you and anyone else who was hurt in the explosion. If you lost a loved one due to a gas explosion caused by someone else’s negligence, an attorney could help surviving family members seek fair compensation through a wrongful death action.
Contact The Ammons Law Firm
Were you hurt in a natural gas explosion? Did a damaged line, a defective part, or someone else’s negligence cause you or someone close to you severe harm? If so, turn to a legal team with the right experience and resources to handle your case. The gas explosion attorneys at The Ammons Law Firm have decades of experience helping those who’ve been hurt get justice, and we’ll be ready to put our skills to work for you.
Call us at 866-808-0960, fill out a contact form, or chat with us live on our site to schedule a free case evaluation right away.
