Displaced Seminole residents confront company about gas leak

SEMINOLE, TX (KCBD) - Approximately 500 Seminole residents have been displaced from their homes after a well break that leaked gas on Tuesday morning - and it may be a week before some of them can return.

"We had to get out," said resident Amanda Hernandez, "and we didn't know where to go."

The Red Cross has set up emergency operations at the former Seminole Junior High gymnasium, providing meals and options to those affected by the leak.

The company, Tabula Rasa Energy, has paid for hotel rooms to serve as temporary shelter for people who cannot safely return to their homes.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, the company hosted a press conference at the gym. Many of the residents had urgent questions about their livelihood.

"We got affected by it," said displaced resident Carman Moreno, "and they should be here for us."

Some of the affected residents said this is the fourth time they have had to evacuate their homes.

"It sticks in the clothing," Moreno said, "and it literally does affect everything in the house."

Residents agree that this is the worst gas leak they have seen in their area.

"Fix the pump," Hernandez said, "and hopefully try to replace some of our stuff and food."

While some residents have been escorted back to their homes by firefighters, those who lived closest to the explosion on County Road 107i, the "Hot Zone" said it is still too dangerous to risk.

"I thought it was just going to be for a couple of hours, no later than 5 o'clock," said Lucky Santoro, a Hot Zone resident. "So I didn't take anything. I just had my house slippers on."

Santoro had to receive donated clothes from a Catholic church in Seminole to wear on Tuesday. She hopes Tabula Rasa will compensate her for gas-soaked food, furniture and clothes.

"Either they 'didn't know' or 'will deal with it as it comes,'" Santoro said, after the press conference. "That is not an acceptable answer to me."

While Tabula Rasa employees said they will compensate residents for these loses, Santoro said this will not replace the animals and pets residents said have died from the gas leak.

"I have a dog that is dead, I'm sure," Santoro said, "[and] two cats."

While these residents wait for answers, they are grateful for the Seminole churches and community members whose support has been immediate and endless.

"We all have to stand together to make a change," Santoro said. "If we stand alone, we fall alone."

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