Dallas, Texas – An explosion on Thanksgiving Day sent shockwaves through a Southeast Dallas neighborhood, leaving a Dallas man with severe burns over 80 percent of his body. The incident occurred on Thursday, Nov. 23, when a detached guesthouse located behind a home on Wofford Drive suddenly exploded.
The explosion took place just before 5:30 p.m. while Vanessa Escobar and eight family members were inside the main house, preparing a Thanksgiving meal. According to Escobar, they were in the kitchen when they heard a sudden, deafening boom. She described the terrifying moment, saying, “I went to the back of the house, and everything blew up.”
Inside the guesthouse at the time of the explosion was 34-year-old Francisco Gorostieta, who had been living there for the past two years and working in flooring with some of Escobar’s family members. The blast was so powerful that it shattered windows at the neighboring house and caused damage to nearby properties.
When Gorostieta was rescued from the wreckage, he appeared to be in a state of shock and disorientation. Escobar recounted, “They took him out, brought him to the front, and he seemed like he was in shock. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t talk at all.” He was swiftly transported to Parkland Hospital for medical attention.
Gorostieta suffered second-degree burns on 80 percent of his body, including his face, chest, arms, legs, and some of his back. Escobar expressed her concern for his condition, noting that he didn’t even realize the house had exploded and has limited memory of the incident. His journey to recovery will undoubtedly be long and arduous.
In response to the explosion, Atmos Energy, at the request of Dallas Fire-Rescue, dispatched highly-trained technicians to inspect the gas lines leading to the property. Atmos Energy confirmed that their system was operating normally and found no evidence of their system’s involvement in the explosion.
The explosion had a significant impact on the neighborhood, with Escobar’s family and her tenant, Michael Polk, being displaced from their homes. Polk, whose residence sustained damage, is considering moving out due to the incident. Escobar, while having homeowner’s insurance, remains uncertain about the timeline for repairs to her heavily damaged living room and kitchen.
As Dallas Fire-Rescue continues its investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, Escobar’s primary focus remains on Gorostieta’s recovery, as he has no family in the area. While he is currently lucid and able to speak, the extent of his injuries necessitates a lengthy and challenging road to recovery. The community is left waiting for answers about the cause of this tragic Thanksgiving Day incident.
