'Backdraft Explosion' Levels Two-Story Building - Paris, Texas

Raw footage from LiveLeak: What officials are initially calling a "backdraft explosion" levels (At the 50 second mark left in the video) a two story building. (see note below).

Firefighters were toned out at 5 AM for a fully involved structure fire just off the square in Paris, Texas. The fire extended to the southern exposure on Bohnam street, a two story brick building with businesses downstairs and loft apartments upstairs. Watch the windows break and the glass fall inside the building. The telephone pole took a beating, too. One firefighter was injured from flying debris.

More on Statter911.com and the Paris News

Note: 'Backdraft Explosion' is in quotes as that is what those on the scene are referring to it as for now. However, it would appear there could be other causes for this as many of those commenting have indicated, so...take the headline for what it is for now.

0 members like this

Tags:
Location: Paris, TX (Show Map)

You need to be a member of My Firefighter Nation to add comments!

Join My Firefighter Nation

Comment by Shawn on July 2, 2008 at 3:59pm: I don't believe that was a back draft. The building was vented and full flame visible through out the building before the explosion. There had to be some thing in the building that exploded. I disagree that it was a back draft.

Comment by Laisenia Rokoduru on July 2, 2008 at 7:47am: Thank God..............no one was blown away!!!The fire was well ventilated or something was in there,that wasn't supposed to be in there in the first place!

Comment by Chris on July 2, 2008 at 1:40am: yeah that def. wasn't a backdraft seeing as how it was still burning didn't appear to be flashover either had to be something that exploded

Comment by Michael tan on July 2, 2008 at 1:23am: i dont think that was a backdraft. could be gas explosion inside a room or something but defintly not backdraft. cause building was already ventilated

Comment by Brad on July 1, 2008 at 9:17pm: I don't think that was a backdraft. It sure was cool though.

Comment by Lou Angeli on July 1, 2008 at 6:23pm: The fire had plenty of ventilation and seems to have entered the flashover stage at about the 1 minute mark. It was nearly another minute before the explosion took place. The camera guy said it all! Lou

Comment by Gerald Koenning on July 1, 2008 at 5:55pm: Too well vented for backdraft! Looks more like propane or some other chemical explosion.

Comment by Gerald Koenning on July 1, 2008 at 5:52pm: Looks more like a propane tank or chemical explosion to me! Too well vented for backdraft!

Comment by Gerald Koenning on July 1, 2008 at 5:50pm: I agree that this does not look like a backdraft to me. Too well vented! Looks more like chemical tank or propane tank to level the bldg. like it did!