Good Samaritan recalls rescuing a woman from the Lake Dallas home explosion; the victim is now suing Atmos Energy

“Once we got her across the street, the whole thing just went like torches, basically,” Jacob Sahl said.

LAKE DALLAS, Texas — A North Texas neighborhood is still reeling after a powerful explosion destroyed a home last Thursday in Lake Dallas, leaving one woman seriously injured and neighbors searching for answers.

“I was like, what’s happening? My neighbor’s house just blew up. Call 911,” Jacob Sahl said.

Sahl said he immediately sprang into action, running toward the home where he found his neighbor, Jessica Bailey Lopez, trapped under the collapsed structure.

“Lift the roof, and then I crawl under, and her arm was broken, and they were so burned, I had to grab her by, like, the armpits, turn her around, and then pull her off the table, onto the ground,” Jacob Sahl said.

On March 19th, Emergency crews rushed to the 700 block of Moseley Street around 7 p.m., where the home was engulfed in flames and nearly leveled. Sahl said he was able to pull Lopez to safety just before conditions worsened.

“Once we got her across the street, the whole thing just went like torches, basically,” Jacob Sahl said.

According to a lawsuit filed against Atmos Energy Corporation, Lopez suffered extensive burns across her face and body, broken bones, and injuries from flying debris. The filing states she is lucky to be alive.

“You can see I am a few houses down from her, so I could not imagine,” Amanda Hughes said, “She is very lucky to be alive.”

Some evacuated neighbors, including Hughes, have since been allowed to return home, though concerns remain.

“The evening before, I was able to come home. It’s so little… It still makes me a little bit nervous to be here,” Amanda Hughes said, “I don’t feel safe. There is a gas line right under my mailbox.”

The lawsuit alleges the blast blew the roof off the home, scattered insulation across the neighborhood, and sent debris into nearby trees.

Atmos crews remain on scene investigating. In a statement to WFAA, the company said Our highest priority remains the safety of our employees, our system, and our communities. We are reviewing the matter and will withhold comment.

Meanwhile, Sahl said he is still waiting to return home as the investigation continues.

“They’re saying Friday,” Jacob Sahl said, “but I don’t believe it.”

Sahl suffered a slight injury to his leg and has yet to return to work. He, like many in the neighborhood, is still hoping to learn what caused the explosion. Although neighbors are calling Sahl a hero, he told WFAA there was just no way he could have not done anything to help Jessica, especially after hearing her cries for help.