9-year-old survives deadly Oak Cliff apartment explosion that killed mother and brother
9-year-old girl survives deadly apartment explosion
The family of a mother and son killed in the deadly Oak Cliff apartment explosion is supporting the young girl who survived as investigators continue searching for answers about the blast.
DALLAS - No new investigative details were released Saturday about Thursday's explosion and fire at The Clyde Apartments in Oak Cliff, which killed three people and injured five others.
While investigators continue working to determine what caused the deadly blast, the family of one of the victims is focusing on helping a 9-year-old girl who survived the explosion that killed her mother and younger brother.
Family mourns mother and son killed in explosion
What we know:
Among those killed were Marisol Perez and her young son, Erick Perez, according to family members. Relatives say Marisol's daughter, Vanessa Perez, survived the explosion and escaped the building.
Vanessa is set to celebrate her 10th birthday on Monday, her first birthday without her mother and brother.
Family search for missing loved ones after the explosion
Family members said FOX 4 cameras captured the moment Vanessa was reunited with relatives shortly after the explosion. According to her aunt, the girl escaped the building and was found crawling through debris before being rescued by a stranger.
"He risked his life for her, and we just want to thank him so much," said Nora Carmona, Marisol Perez's sister.
That stranger was Rodney Brown, who said he carried the child across the street to safety.
"Because she was a baby. It was just instinct that I saw her, and I wanted to help," Brown said.
Dig deeper:
As firefighters rushed to the scene, family members desperately searched for Marisol and Erick, hoping they had survived.
"I was at work and my sister called me and told me that they couldn't find my sister and her baby, and it was just devastating," said Maria Lopez, another of Perez's sisters.
Relatives said they spent hours hoping Marisol and Erick had escaped before learning they were among the three people killed in the explosion.
"Hope that she was just in another place, on the other side or something like that, that she ran out, that she was able to get out," Carmona said.
The third victim has not been officially identified by authorities, but friends and family members have said they believe longtime Dallas County Democratic Party precinct chair Sylvia Collins was among those killed.
Owners seek answers
Local perspective:
Attorneys representing the owners of The Clyde Apartments say they remain frustrated by what they describe as a lack of information from investigators.
Investigators have confirmed a construction crew struck a natural gas line before the explosion. However, officials have not publicly identified the crew or the company involved, and no one has been accused of wrongdoing.
Attorneys for the apartment owners said they continue to wait for answers as investigators work to determine exactly what happened.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the explosion, which destroyed much of the apartment building, displaced residents and prompted a large emergency response involving more than 100 firefighters.
Officials have said five people were hospitalized after the blast. One remained in critical but stable condition as of Friday, while the others suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
NTSB investigation into Dallas apartment fire
What's next:
For now, Marisol Perez's family says its focus is on helping Vanessa cope with the tragedy.
"Yesterday was the first time she actually cried, like cried, that she realized I think a lot more was happening than just what she saw at that minute," Carmona said.
Relatives say they are surrounding Vanessa with family, support and love while preparing funeral arrangements for Marisol and Erick.
"She was a dedicated mom and a good person, and she had a good heart and wonderful intentions always, and she helped a lot of people," Lopez said.
A vigil honoring Marisol and Erick Perez is scheduled for Sunday as the family continues to mourn their loss and seek healing.
Officials have said five people were hospitalized after the explosion. One remained in critical but stable condition as of Friday, while the others suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the explosion.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4's Vania Castillo.