Dallas News Dallas Explosion

Flaming Debris Showers Dallas Freeway After Explosion

á Dallas officials closed two highways near downtown and evacuated a half-mile radius near the site of a blast that sent flaming debris raining down on freeways and buildings.

The explosions started about 9:30 a.m. when there was an explosion at a company that sells industrial gases. The fire triggered a series of other explosions in the area where there were a number of cannisters of flammable material, Dallas fire officials said.

The explosions at the Southwest Industrial Gases plant showered the surrounding area with flaming debris Ñ with shrapnel falling on the busy Interstates 35-E and 30. Officials ordered an evacuation of a half-mile radius of the area.