Five people were injured after two separate home explosions rocked the same block in a north San Antonio neighborhood, setting off a major emergency response and prompting a federal investigation into what officials say appears to be a natural gas-related incident.
The explosions happened Tuesday evening on Preston Hollow Drive, located on the city’s North Side. According to authorities, the first blast occurred around 6 p.m. local time. Fire crews responded to reports of a house explosion followed by flames and significant structural damage. Three people inside the first home, including two adults and a teenage girl, were rushed to hospitals with burn injuries.
Roughly two hours later, while first responders were still in the neighborhood, a second home just two doors down also exploded. That blast injured two more people and sent debris, insulation, and sheetrock across the street, according to local officials. The second explosion intensified fears among residents who had already been shaken by the first incident according to CBS News.
San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto said the second explosion looked very similar to the first, with severe damage to the roof and surrounding property. By Wednesday, officials said three of the five injured victims remained in critical condition, including a child.
“It was very similar to the first, you know,” Frausto said of the second blast, which happened two doors down from the original explosion. “The roof blew, there was sheet rock and insulation across the street.”
WATCH:
A community in a suburb of San Antonio, Texas, is on edge after two homes exploded in the same neighborhood, just hours apart. At least five people were injured and families from approximately 20 homes were forced to evacuate. @TrevorLAult reports on the investigation. pic.twitter.com/1bVUmASnR7
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) April 23, 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it is investigating the explosions and described them as “natural gas-fueled.” The agency is specifically looking into why evacuations were not ordered before the second blast occurred. NTSB investigators arrived in San Antonio the following day and are expected to issue a preliminary report within about 30 days.
Local utility CPS Energy said crews identified and capped a gas leak Tuesday night, though officials have not publicly detailed exactly where the leak originated or how long it may have been present. Authorities have not confirmed an official cause of either explosion, but early evidence points to a buildup of natural gas.
The blasts forced evacuations throughout the neighborhood. Around 10 to 20 nearby homes were temporarily cleared as emergency crews searched for lingering gas pockets and checked for structural damage. By Wednesday night, most residents had been allowed to return home, though five homes remained off-limits. Those included the two exploded homes, the house in between them, and two neighboring residences.
At least one of the destroyed homes is expected to be demolished due to the extent of the damage. CPS Energy said it would reimburse hotel costs for displaced residents while city officials coordinated shelter and support services through local agencies and the American Red Cross.
Neighbors described hearing thunderous blasts that shook walls and windows. One resident compared the first explosion to a “sonic boom,” saying the entire house vibrated. Others reported seeing victims outside calling for help and suffering visible burns.
