A fatal explosion, several gas leaks and fires have left Northwest Dallas residents feeling apprehensive, although it’s unclear whether the events are connected.

An explosion in the 3500 block of Espanola Drive — just outside our neighborhood — injured four people and killed Linda Rogers, an outspoken, joyful seventh-grader who attended Uplift Williams Preparatory School.

A gas leak is the suspected catalyst of Friday’s blast, which tore the home from its foundation and collapsed the roof. Nearby neighbors and Foster Elementary students were evacuated from the area.

The explosion is under investigation, and Atmos Energy is replacing 2 ½ miles of pipe in the neighborhood.

A gas leak forced first responders at Fire Station 43, at the 2800 block of Lombardy Lane, to vacate the area Tuesday evening. Thirty homes were evacuated on nearby Bowman Boulevard and Chireno Street.

Chapel Creek Apartments also were evacuated this past Sunday after Atmos Energy discovered a gas leak at the Hidalgo Drive property.

Natural gas is the suspected culprit of two house fires on Durango Drive this past week. Another fire Sunday evening in the 3800 block of Eaton Drive made neighbors uneasy, but Dallas Fire-Rescue determined the blaze was caused by burning sage, not natural gas.

There have been at least seven other leaks in that area since 2010, according to a WFAA report.