A peaceful day in Austin, Texas, was abruptly interrupted by a massive explosion on Sunday, April 13. At around 11:30 a.m., residents were shaken by a deafening boom that emanated from the destruction of a two-story home. The explosion caused significant damage to 24 nearby homes, with one house partially collapsed and another completely destroyed. A vehicle parked nearby was also severely damaged, found burning at the scene when officers arrived.
The house explosion left six people injured, with two individuals trapped inside the collapsed building suffering the most severe injuries. According to reports, they remain in critical condition but stable. Another person sustained significant injuries and was immediately transported to the hospital. Additionally, two firefighters were injured, though their injuries were minor, and one declined transport to the hospital.
The Austin house explosion not only affected humans but also prompted Animal Control to rescue pets impacted by the incident. While the blast caused power lines to come down, electricity has been restored to most homes, except for those that sustained the most severe damage.
The cause of the sudden and powerful house explosion remains unknown, but police are continuing their investigation. According to reports, although the home did not have natural gas service, propane tanks were found on the property, which may have triggered the explosion.
The incident not only shocked the victims whose home was destroyed but also startled many residents living nearby. Several reported hearing a loud noise and feeling the ground shake. “Oh my God, I felt the ground shaking,” one resident said. Another mentioned hearing the explosion from Pflugerville, describing it as if something had actually struck their house.
Others began speculating about the cause of the incident. The powerful sound and shockwave from the explosion led many to believe that it was triggered by something far more powerful.
“This definitely wasn’t a typical house gas explosion if I and many others felt the blast from 20 miles away,” one Redditor commented. “As some have suggested, it was likely a natural gas pipeline rupture combined with ignition. AI suggests it could also involve a propane tank farm, industrial chemicals (such as those in fertilizer plants or chemical warehouses), an illegal fireworks stash, a methane sinkhole explosion, an electrical transformer blast, or even an aircraft crash followed by fuel ignition.”
One user even shared a photo of a thick plume of smoke rising from the site of the explosion. Many were puzzled by how a gas explosion could produce a mushroom-shaped cloud. “The color of the cloud was slightly yellow when seen up close,” the user noted.
