2 killed, 2 injured in natural gas explosion in Collin County

Two people were killed and two more were injured in a natural gas explosion Monday afternoon in Collin County.

The explosion occurred about 3:30 p.m. near State Highway 78 and FM2756 in Farmersville, about 15 miles east of McKinney.

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office said the scene of the explosion was safe but asked that people avoid the area.

Employees of Bobcat Construction and Fesco Petroleum Engineers — subcontractors for Atmos Energy — had been performing maintenance on a pipeline, according to the sheriff’s office. The explosion appeared to have been accidental, authorities said.

The victims’ names were not released. Details about the conditions of the two injured people were not provided.

No further information about what led to the blast was released.

Nearby residents told KXAS-TV (NBC5) that they were surprised and shaken by the blast.

“I’m just very thankful that it didn’t explode my whole neighborhood because that’s always been one of my fears,” said Skylah Spradlin, 22, who was in her front yard at the time.

Atmos said in a written statement that its prayers were with the people affected by the explosion.