Dallas Mayor Issues Statement on Oak Cliff Explosion

Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson issued a statement following the Oak Cliff apartment complex explosion that triggered a five-alarm response on Thursday.

The city put out a press release with the full statement on Thursday afternoon. Johnson notes that the explosion occurred as firefighters from nearby Station 15 arrived.

After the situation escalated to a five-alarm response, hundreds of personnel deployed to the scene. The fire has been extinguished, and recovery efforts continue.

"We do not yet know the final toll on this community, but it is already high," Johnson said. "The survivors of this tragedy lost their homes and everything in them. And there are families grieving loved ones who perished."

Johnson said the needs of those neighbors will be great. "But the most important thing we can—and must—do as a community right now is pray," he said. "We must pray for the individuals who tragically lost their lives, and we must pray for their families as they endure this unforeseen grief."

The mayor asked that the community come together in the coming weeks to support everyone impacted. "Dallas is blessed to have several partner organizations who are helping with the recovery process, including Dallas ISD, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Family Gateway, and all those who provided food and donations for those affected," he said.

He also praised the efforts of the first responders on the scene. "And I want to recognize our Dallas firefighters and first responders whose bravery, heroism, and professionalism were on full display today," he said. "They were on the scene within minutes, contained the blaze, and spent hours bringing down the fire."

According to Johnson, Dallas Fire-Rescue has transitioned from the rescue phase to recovery and excavation operations. That work will continue for at least 24 hours.