Highland Hills Apartment Complex in Southern Dallas Gas Explosion, an Unregistered Natural Gas Master Meter System

On September 29, 2021, a gas explosion occurred at the Highland Hills apartment complex in southern Dallas while firefighters were investigating a reported natural gas leak. The blast caused one building to partially collapse and injured eight people, including four firefighters.

Christopher Connelly / KERA News

Details of the explosion

• Time and location: The explosion occurred around 11 a.m. at the Highland Hills apartments, located on the 5700 block of Highland Hills Drive.

• Injuries: Four firefighters and four civilians were injured. Three firefighters were hospitalized in critical but stable condition. All eight injured people were expected to survive. One firefighter required extensive physical and occupational therapy due to the severity of their burns.

• Property damage: The explosion destroyed one apartment building containing 10 units. Its wreckage was later demolished due to safety concerns. Over 200 residents were displaced, and the City of Dallas provided them with hotel rooms.

• Preceding events: Firefighters were investigating a gas leak reported about 30 minutes before the explosion. Some residents told reporters they had smelled gas since the night before.

Investigation and aftermath

• Cause: Investigators determined that a bullet from a domestic violence incident had struck a gas line, causing the building to fill with natural gas. A suspect was later arrested and charged with seven counts of deadly conduct.

• Lawsuit: In February 2022, three of the injured firefighters filed a $100 million lawsuit against Atmos Energy and the apartment complex owners. The firefighters alleged the explosion could have been prevented if safety standards were followed.

• Victim recovery: After months of recovery, two of the three critically injured firefighters were able to return to work by September 2022.

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Allegations of negligence

Multiple negligence claims have been made against the property management companies, Highland Hills Apartments and Odin Properties and Management, regarding the gas explosion in Dallas on September 29, 2021. The allegations stem from a $100 million lawsuit filed by three firefighters who were seriously injured in the blast

The lawsuit, which also named gas company Atmos Energy, accuses the management companies of failing to maintain a safe environment and neglecting to follow federal and state safety standards. The claims include:

• Operating unregistered gas systems: The property was allegedly operating an unregistered natural gas master meter that did not meet minimum standards.

• Ignoring safety risks: Management failed to perform a hazard analysis, which would have identified known risks, such as gun violence on the property.

• Inadequate emergency plan: There was no proper emergency plan in place for a gas leak, including a protocol for shutting off valves and evacuating buildings.

• Untrained staff: The management companies failed to train staff to properly address gas leaks, including knowing the location of shut-off valves and how to perform emergency procedures.

• Faulty leak detection: They allegedly failed to perform proper leak surveys and preventative maintenance.

• Incorrect entry procedures: The lawsuit claims that apartment employees used a drill instead of a master key to enter the apartment where the leak was located, further endangering the first responders.

  
  

Evidence of neglect

The lawsuit points to a pattern of neglect, stating that the bullet-struck gas line was a "ticking time bomb" that exploded due to years of ignored safety protocols and regulatory noncompliance.

Status of the lawsuit

Since the explosion in 2021, the legal proceedings have continued, with the firefighters seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent injuries. The defendants, including Odin Properties, have been asked to provide responses to the claims made in the lawsuit.

It is unknown, if the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) cited or took enforcement action against the owners of Highland Hills Apartments for not registering as a gas master meter operator as required by 49 CFR 192.

Master Meter System Determination

If your company owns and/or operators apartment complexes with natural gas piping and need help determining whether your property is a jurisdictional Master Meter as defined by the federal pipeline code, 49 CFR 192.3, reach out to The Oak Tree Group. A Master Meter System-   means a pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited to, a definable area (such as a mobile home park, housing project, or apartment complex) where the operator purchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a gas distribution pipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as by rents.  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-192/section-192.3#p-192.3(Master%20Meter%20System)

We can perform a site visit and make a determination and help your company meet all regulatory requirements.