The incidents happened about two hours apart on Tuesday evening in the 15000 block of Preston Hollow Drive.
SAN ANTONIO — Two explosions a few hours apart rocked homes in a north-side neighborhood Tuesday evening.
Five people were hurt, and three homes were damaged, said City Councilman Marc Whyte, whose district includes the scene of the explosions.
The first explosion happened shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 15000 block of Preston Hollow Drive. The subsequent fire at the north-side house left two adults and one child injured, according to the San Antonio Fire Department. They were taken to the hospital with life-threatening burn injuries.
The fire was extinguished very quickly, a department spokesperson said.
The explosion may have been caused by a buildup of natural gas, the spokesperson said, but that determination is preliminary at this point.
Shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, a second blast was heard two doors down, and flames soon were seen shooting into the sky from another home.
Two people, a man and a woman, were seen by a neighbor being tended to by medical personnel after the second explosion. SAFD says they were also taken to the hospital with similar life-threatening injuries.
A spokesperson said the first home sustained significant damage and likely will be demolished.
SAFD said that 15 houses were evacuated in total: five houses in both directions from the two original explosions as well as across the street. Those residents were transported to a local senior center for shelter.
A shelter has been set up at 4135 Thousand Oaks Drive for residents in the area who might be more comfortable elsewhere.
“I’m thankful for the team here that’s getting things set up,” Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said at the scene. “They’ve got water, they’re going to have cots set up. If you don’t feel comfortable staying home based on the blast that has happened in your community, this is a place you can come. Please feel free to do so.”
This is a breaking news story. Watch for updates at KENS5.com.