Plano fire investigators have not yet identified the cause of an explosion on Shantara Lane last week that damaged a $2.5 million home.
The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. July 20 — almost one year to the day of a nearby explosion in the 4400 block of Cleveland Drive that sent six people to the hospital on July 19, 2021.
The five-bedroom home at 3704 Shantara Lane was unoccupied at the time of last week’s blast, and no one was injured.
Plano Fire Capt. Michael Carr said the fire marshal is investigating and has met with the homeowners and Atmos Energy officials.
“We’re glad nobody was home, and we’re glad nobody was hurt,” Carr said. “The good thing is that nobody was home, but that makes the fire marshal’s job a lot harder. Atmos was out there and tested everything. They can’t find anything. We don’t know what happened. We have no idea.”
The home next door to the south of 3704 also was damaged, Carr said.
“Four windows were taken out and the garage door was damaged. They were home,” he said of the neighbors, “but they packed up and stayed at a friend’s house. They had no injuries.”
The Cleveland Drive blast one year ago — just three miles away from Shantara — was “totally different” and is still under investigation by the Plano Police Department, Carr said.
While that situation was ultimately investigated as potentially intentional, the blast last week left spectators surmising that a gas leak occurred. A tweet issued by DFW Scanner within an hour of the July 20 blast noted that it was “possibly gas related.”
Home explosions are extremely rare, Carr explained.
“It’s not common at all,” he said.
Nice Neighborhood
The White Rock Creek Estates neighborhood is known for its curb appeal and proximity to a two-acre private greenbelt and creek. The home at 3704 Shantara Lane was built on a half-acre lot in 1995 by Steve Roberts Custom Builders.
The listing for the off-market home highlights its high ceilings, Imported light fixtures, customized window treatments, fully-equipped bar, and fountain pool blended into a lavish landscape.
Because the Shantara Lane abode spans 8,000 square feet and the explosion was contained to one corner, it’s still technically inhabitable, Carr said. However, a Daltxrealestate.com photographer said items were being moved out of the home Tuesday morning. The power was turned off after the explosion, but Carr was unsure whether it had been restored.
Gas Leak?
Representatives from Atmos Energy’s Media Relations and Public Affairs Department did not immediately respond to requests for an interview. We know the energy company’s officials were on the scene shortly after the blast and are heavily involved in the investigation.
Carr with the Plano Fire Department was hesitant to speculate what caused the explosion. When asked whether it started in the porte cochere garage area, he said, “Well, that’s what’s missing.”
Atmos Energy officials advise that if a resident detects a rotten egg or skunk smell, they should leave the area immediately and call 911 and the Atmos emergency line, 866-322-8667.
“Pipelines carry natural gas around the clock to more than 76 million homes and businesses in the United States,” states information on the Atmos website. “Because they are underground, you seldom notice these energy superhighways. In fact, pipelines are one of the safest forms of transportation. They are involved in far fewer serious incidents than trucks, railroads, ships, or airplanes.”
