MIDLAND, TX (KWES) - Shortly after 10 a.m. on Aug. 9, the Midland County Sheriff's office received a 911 call of an explosion at East County Road 150, about a half mile East of South County Road 1040.
Deputies discovered Lucia Cereceres, 29, Auden Tercero, 32, and their two children, Delaney Tercero, 3, and Dalayza Tercero, 2, in critical condition with severe burns.
They were loaded into an ambulance and transported to Midland Memorial Hospital. A medical helicopter arrived shortly after and transported the father to Midland Memorial Hospital.
All four individuals were eventually transported by air ambulance to the Burn Center at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
The three-year-old died according to a family member. The hospital confirmed one family member died but has not confirmed who it was.
Two other victims are still in critical condition at UMC, while another is in serious condition.
Relatives of the family are requesting that the public keep this family in their prayers as they have a very, very long way to go.
The house was completely disintegrated from the explosion, with debris thrown over 100 feet away in all directions.
Authorities believe a dryer exploded from a low-pressure gas line leaking. There appeared to be an old rusted steel pipe under the house that was no longer considered safe. Crews are in the process of closing off and draining the gas line.
A horse at the residence got loose but was captured by Midland County Deputies and transported to a veterinarian for an examination.
People as far away as 15 miles reported their buildings shook and thought someone had run into their building.
The fire has been put out and roads have been re-opened.
Gas companies have turned off their valves and are burning off excess gas.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to support the family.
