Explosion Reported at Coryell Memorial Healthcare System in Gatesville
One person is dead and at least 12 were injured after an explosion that occurred at the Coyrell Memorial Healthcare System in Gatesville Tuesday afternoon. Three of the four injured are reportedly in critical condition.
As reported by our news partner, KWTX, firefighters were called to the hospital at 1057 West Main St. around 2:15 PM after an explosion in an addition to be building that had been under construction. Power outages in the area surrounding the hospital affected traffic lights and the Coryell County Courthouse.
The cause of the explosion remained under investigation Tuesday evening. A witness reported that a generator exploded, and officials believe a natural gas line may have been involved as well.
Two nearby nursing homes - The Meadows and The Oaks at Coryell - were evacuated as a precaution. Nearby residents were also evacuated, and were being taken in by the First United Methodist Church about four miles away.
Several area emergency service units responded to the scene, and off-duty personnel were called to assist.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.