Lubbock Police reported the house explosion in Tech Terrace claimed the lives of two people Tuesday night and sent several others to the hospital, but the heroic actions of some residents nearby saved a life.
Texas Tech student Jax Isclaw said he was just steps away outside of a friend’s house across the street when he heard the blast.
“I just saw a 45 foot fireball,” Isclaw said. He then yelled to his friend, Heath Edgerton, to call 911.
The two heard heard cries for help from a cellar in the yard.
“Instinct kicked in and we both started running towards the house,” Edgerton said.
They took turns with other neighbors running through the smoke to try and rescue a trapped man and woman. Eventually, Jax found a ladder, and they were able to pull the two from the cellar.
“I was the first one to see them, and he didn’t look good,” Isclaw said of the man in the cellar.
John Fleming, 72, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other victims were rushed to the hospital, where Rodica Gelca, 45, was later pronounced dead. Gelca was listed by the Texas Tech University website as a mathematics instructor. Isclaw and Edgerton told EverythingLubbock.com she lived next door to Fleming.
The two students said they were just glad they were close by to help.
“If you would have told me yesterday I was going to be running into a burning building I would have told you you were crazy, but in the heat of the moment.. I just reacted,” Isclaw said.
Edgerton added, “I’d do the same thing right now if I knew the consequences.”
For more information on the explosion, CLICK HERE.
