Blast Levels Texas Home; Gas Leak Probed

— -- At least three people were hospitalized today with severe burns after an explosion in Waxahachie, Texas, that leveled a house and damaged others.

"We heard a boom," one neighbor said. "We went out to look and things were flying around."

The explosion, which occurred around 8 a.m., left at least nine other homes damaged, mostly by flying debris. Two homes "sustained major damage," according to the Red Cross and several residents were treated for minor injuries, a city spokeswoman said.

"[It's] nothing short of a miracle, no one was killed here," said Fire Chief Ricky Boyd, who called a natural-gas leak "the chief suspect."

Gas company Atmos Energy said its crews were working with local authorities to determine the cause of the explosion.

"As part of normal operating procedures when Atmos Energy is called to the scene of an incident, we work closely with our first responders to make the area safe and then conduct leak surveys in the area to identify if gas was involved. At this point it is too soon to tell what caused this incident," said Jennifer Altieri of Atmos Energy.

Fire authorities said that residents in the area has been evacuated indefinitely but were being allowed into their homes with officers to get necessary items.