Family members report that an Ellis County couple is expected to recover after their home exploded unexpectedly in the middle of the night.
The explosion occurred on Ike Road in Waxahachie shortly after 2 a.m. The blast scattered debris, including boards and insulation, across a wide area around the home.
“It was just a loud bang and a violent shake,” said Billy Vest, a captain with the Waxahachie Fire Department. “I woke up and immediately knew something was seriously wrong.”
Vest, who was among the neighbors awakened by the blast, described the scene as resembling a car fire from a distance but was shocked by the extensive damage when he got closer.
“It’s incredible; I’ve never seen a house destroyed like that,” Vest said.
He explained that the couple, both elderly, lived in the house. The woman was thrown by the explosion but was moving around by the time Vest arrived. Her husband was trapped under debris, suffering burns.
“We went straight to him and tried to move him out. We couldn’t let him walk due to the nails and debris, so we had to carry him out,” Vest said.
Both individuals were hospitalized. While they face a long recovery, family members are hopeful they will survive.
As fire officials investigate the cause of the explosion, witnesses described the survival of the couple as miraculous.
“Looking at the destruction, it’s incredible that they survived. It’s as if God was watching over them,” Vest remarked.
The Ellis County Fire Marshal’s office noted that it is too early to determine the cause of the explosion, and their investigation is ongoing.
