In a shocking turn of events, two explosions caused by a leaking natural gas line tore through a convenience store and inflicted damage on nearby buildings in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast D.C. Fortunately, firefighters were able to evacuate the area, potentially saving the lives of 16 children who were attending a day-care center in one of the affected buildings.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser expressed her relief at the evacuation efforts, stating that had the children been inside the building during the explosions, the impact would have been devastating. As she stood near the billowing smoke on Marion Barry Avenue SE, the extent of the destruction left her speechless.

According to Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. of the D.C. fire department, it appears that the explosions occurred after a vehicle collided with a gas meter attached to one of the buildings during "normal operations." One person sustained minor injuries from debris and was transported to a nearby hospital.

The incident began when firefighters responded to a report of an outside gas leak around 9:35 a.m. Within 25 minutes, a blast shattered windows on the second floor of a building, just above the day-care center, causing a flash fire. Shortly after, a second explosion flattened a nearby convenience store.

A spokesperson for Washington Gas has confirmed that the company is actively cooperating with the response to the incident, but at this point, they have no further information to share.

By noon, firefighters had managed to mostly extinguish the fire, but smoke continued to engulf the street. The area, which is known for its small businesses, including pharmacies, shops, a cafe, and an arts center, was left in disarray.

Darrell Gaston, owner of the Kitchen Savages, located near the scene of the explosions, expressed his dismay upon arriving at his business only to find it inaccessible due to the flames and debris. Gaston likened the smoke to that of a massive bonfire, stating that it was an overwhelming sight. However, he expressed gratitude that everyone seemed to be safe and hoped for the quick rebuilding of the community.

As authorities continue to investigate the incident, the focus now turns to assessing and repairing the extensive damage caused by the explosions.