An explosion rocked a housing development in northwest Zapopan, Friday, December 22, resulting in 14 people injured. No deaths have been reported.
The cause of the explosion, say authorities, was a leaky 300-liter gas tank in a two-story unit of the Santillana housing division, located in the Solares subdivision, just outside the perimeter of Periferico Norte and abutting both the Tec de Monterrey university and the city’s large air base.
In addition to the wounded, the fiery concussion’s blast radius affected 16 vehicles and several dozen of the surrounding houses, with residents reporting shattered window panes and other damage.
“It’s like a war zone,” said Zapopan Mayor Pablo Lemus, who visited the affected area a few hours after the incident.
Five days later, 80 percent of repair work on affected properties has been completed, according to Zapopan’s Civil Protection and Fire departments, work which has included not only repairs but restoring basic services such as water, electricity and gas.
Sponsoring the repairs is the housing division’s development firm, which may find itself under investigation for negligence relating to the gas leak and subsequent explosion. However, the question of culpability in this matter is, so far, open, and no fingers have yet been officially pointed.