Explosion in Boerne causes major house fire

A large explosion in a neighborhood in Boerne sparked a multi-home fire in the San Antonio suburb on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports. A large explosion in a neighborhood in Boerne sparked a multi-home fire in the San Antonio suburb on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports. Photo: Facebook Reader Photo: Facebook Reader Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Explosion in Boerne causes major house fire 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

A large explosion in a Boerne neighborhood sparked a multi-home fire in the San Antonio suburb Tuesday.

Emergency crews responded to the blaze in the 200 block of Horse Hill in the Herff Ranch subdivision, where the fire happened just before noon.

At least one man was injured and transported by helicopter to an area hospital. Officials said 80 percent of the man's body was burned and his current condition is unknown. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The neighborhood is located a few blocks away from Cibolo Creek Elementary School, which was temporarily placed on lockdown while emergency crews battled the fire.

A neighborhood resident, who asked not to be named, said a person in the neighborhood reported a gas leak Tuesday morning to a local utility company. Subsequently, another man's home near the home with the gas leak exploded.

"It sounded like a garbage truck hit my house," said the neighbor, adding that his home is a few hundred feet away from the explosion.

"When he sat down on his couch and turned on his TV his house exploded, the man said," the neighbor told the Express-News. "His garage door is across the street."

Representatives from the Boerne Fire Department confirmed crews were working an incident related to an explosion, but would not elaborate on any details at the time.

Calls to the Boerne Fire Department and the Kendall County Sheriff's Office were not immediately returned.

The Boerne Independent School tweeted that the elementary school will be dismissed at normal time (2:45 p.m.)

This developing story will be updated as details become available.

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Twitter: @KoltenParker