Residents in the Oak Lawn and Turtle Creek neighborhoods were alarmed on Monday afternoon when a fire was set in an alley, dangerously close to a natural gas line.
Firefighters were dispatched to the alley near the 3700 block of Gilbert Avenue and Reagan Street around 6 p.m.
A spokesperson from the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department informed NBC 5 that their arson division is handling the investigation but could not disclose further details.
The blaze caused significant damage, destroying a wooden fence, public utility equipment, and power meters in nearby townhome communities.
Stephen Owens, who lives nearby, captured footage from his surveillance cameras showing a man and woman carrying boxes walking through the alley. The video, timestamped at 5:27 p.m., shows the pair entering private property through an open gate, with the woman placing an item on the ground before both left empty-handed. By 5:30 p.m., flames were visible in the footage.
Vince Manna, a resident of the townhome community, reported seeing the fence on fire as he arrived home. He quickly called the fire department, who arrived promptly and extinguished the flames before they could damage any homes.
Manna noted that the fire had come dangerously close to the gas line, causing damage to utilities and leading to an evacuation notice for one neighbor who remains without water, power, or gas.
While relieved that no injuries occurred, residents expressed ongoing concern about their safety. Manna highlighted the serious risk posed by the proximity of the fire to the gas line, emphasizing the need for heightened safety measures in their community.
