Dallas families in need after home explodes on Thanksgiving

DALLAS — Shortly after 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dallas Fire Rescue responded to multiple 911 calls regarding an explosion on Wofford Avenue in Southeast Dallas. 

Vanessa Escobar, one of the homeowners, met with WFAA on Sunday.

“It was hard…. it’s been hard these days,” Escobar said. 

Escobar was inside her home with nine other people celebrating the holiday, including her mother and two babies. 

They were unharmed, but Fransisco, her family friend who lives with her, was badly burned. 

“The most important thing is Francisco right now,” she said.

The explosion, Escobar explained, happened right by the guest house where Fransisco lives. 

From his hospital bed, and in Spanish, Fransisco says he’s in brutal pain. By the time he realized the house was gone, everything of his was gone: his furniture, clothing, shoes and savings.

On top of that, Escobar told WFAA that Fransisco does not have health insurance either.

Escobar’s 15-year-old daughter, Keily, started two fundraising campaigns. The first for Fransisco’s medical and personal expenses. 

“He doesn’t have anybody, we’re his only family…he doesn’t have nothing,” she said.

The second, to help her parents rebuild their home, and pay for temporary housing until it’s safe to return. 

“I know my parents are not gonna be able to afford all the bills,” she told WFAA. “It’s hard seeing my mom down, you know? I know she’s always wanted the house…it was our first [house ever]… And we worked hard for it.”

Escobar said she has no clue why her house exploded or who is to blame. ATMOS Energy did not respond to WFAA’s request for comment, but Dallas Fire Rescue did confirm the gas company was called to investigate. 

“I would like to know what happened…because right now I don’t really know,” Escobar said.

Fransisco’s GoFundMe can be found here. The Escobar family’s GoFundMe can be found here.