The National Transportation Safety Board is now leading the investigation with the goal to have a preliminary report available in 30 days.
SAN ANTONIO — Residents living in the Preston Hollow neighborhood are searching for answers after two gas-fueled explosions just a couple hours apart rattled homes and injured five people.
“There’s a lot of people really scared,” said resident Kevin Johnson, who lives in the Preston Hollow neighborhood near Thousand Oaks Drive.
Even after assurances by CPS Energy that the public safe, there’s still some skepticism among some neighbors who are hoping a detailed account of triggered the blasts comes soon.
“I think the homeowners here would like to know really what happened and what they could have done to not make the second one happen,” Johnson said.
The first explosion happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday, sending a family of three to the hospital with burn injuries. Among them is Tim Nowell, a student pastor at Wayside Chapel in San Antonio. His wife, Kim, is a math teacher at MacArthur High School and their daughter Ali is a student at the school.
Statement from Wayside Chapel Lead Pastor Jason Uptmore:
“Tim Nowell serves on our pastoral staff at Wayside Chapel. We are aware of the situation and are in contact with the family. We are grateful that Tim, Kim and Ali are stable.
Tim has faithfully served our student ministry for over 17 years and is beloved by our entire church family. Tim and his family are deeply woven into the fabric of who we are as a church.
We recognize that the road ahead will be long, but we are committed to walking with them. That is what the church is for, we come around one another in the hard moments and point each other to the hope we have in Jesus Christ. That hope does not waver, even in moments like this.
Wayside Chapel will continue to surround this family with prayer, care, and assistance as we discern the ways we can best come alongside them in the days ahead. We ask that you respect their privacy as they focus on healing and recovery.”
The family is also well known in the neighborhood, attending homeowners’ association meetings and community events.
“They’d always come to the meetings down at the empty lot,” Johnson said.
A second explosion followed, further shaking the community and raising concerns among residents about safety and the cause of the blasts.
“All of a sudden, the house shook,” said Lupe. “I hope they have some answers because we would like to find out what caused it and hopefully the rest of the folks can feel a little more at ease when that happens,” said Lupe’s husband Rene Luis.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now leading the investigation into the explosions, which officials say were fueled by natural gas. Investigators are expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days.
As for displaced residents, District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte noted the goal is to allow them back in their homes by Thursday. Whyte said working with CPS Energy, plans are in place to reimburse families for the hotel costs.
Meantime, neighbors are focused on supporting the families affected and hoping for a full recovery.
“I haven’t heard anything on the second family,” Johnson said. “But hopefully a full recovery and with a little luck, maybe they can rebuild here.”
As of 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, all residents were allowed back into their homes with the exception of five houses: the three impacted by the fire and two others on the street.