Lightning strike suspected in East Bexar County gas line blast

A lightning strike is thought to have caused a gas line explosion that forced the evacuation of several homes Thursday evening in East Bexar County.

Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office investigators believe lightning struck a line attached to a propane tank at about 6:30 p.m. at 13857 U.S. 87 E.

Monica Ramos, a Bexar County spokeswoman, said the tank is between two homes that are acres apart from one another.

No one was injured, and there was no damage to either of the homes.

Upon receiving reports of the gas explosion, Ramos said area first responders were expecting a geyser of flames from the site.

Despite leaving a large hole in the ground, there was no fire.

Ramos said investigators described the outcome as “remarkable.”

“The Fire Marshal’s Office is going to come back and investigate when it’s daylight, and see what else they can find,” she said.

The rupture is near the Wilson County line. Cross Country Gas Company has since shut down their gas lines which run through the area, officials said.

The company is monitoring air quality throughout the night, she said.

Several other utility companies that have lines running through the area are checking their equipment.

“Once they’ve done that … they’ll let residents come back,” Ramos said.

Authorities issued a reverse 911 call to 218 homes in the area. About 100 residents decided they needed to evacuate to a nearby fire station, officials said.

“A lot of residents decided to stay with other relatives and neighbors,” Ramos said. “They are OK”