Five injured in twin explosions on San Antonio neighborhood block

A likely natural gas buildup tore through a north San Antonio block Tuesday evening, first at one home and then again hours later at another, leaving five people injured, three in critical condition, and 10 homes evacuated on Preston Hollow Drive near Thousand Oaks Drive.

San Antonio Fire Department crews responded to the first fire shortly after 6 p.m. in the 15000 block of Preston Hollow Drive. Around 8:30 p.m., firefighters heard a loud boom near a second home, where flames were seen shooting out. Investigators said the first incident appeared to be tied to gas, and crews spent the night working to locate and cap the leak.

The explosions injured two adults and one child in the first blast, then two more adults in the second. Three of the five injured were hospitalized in critical condition, including one child being treated for burns. One of those hurt was Kimberly Nowell, a math teacher at MacArthur High School, whose husband, Tim, is a pastor at Wayside Chapel. Their teenage daughter, Ali, was also among the critically injured.

North East Independent School District said MacArthur High School was supporting staff with counselors and administrators. Wayside Chapel said the Nowell family was deeply woven into the church community and expressed relief that Tim, Kim and Ali were stable. The family’s injuries turned a neighborhood emergency into a broader shock for two institutions that know them well, and for classmates, coworkers and congregants trying to process what happened.

A temporary shelter was set up at the Northeast Senior Center at 4135 Thousand Oaks Drive, where the San Antonio Fire Department, the American Red Cross and city officials helped displaced residents. CPS Energy said it located and capped the gas leak overnight and would reimburse hotel costs for affected residents while crews continued investigating the cause. District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte said power had been restored to the neighborhood and residents would be helped back home later Wednesday once it was safe.

Officials said the first damaged house will likely have to be demolished, and at least one other home sustained extensive damage. San Antonio police said Preston Hollow Drive would remain closed for at least 24 hours after the blasts, a reminder that the danger from a neighborhood utility failure can stretch far beyond the first flash of flames.