’It’s a warzone over here’: Here’s what people who live near explosion scene are saying

Mark Brady, who lives in northwest Houston, recounts the aftermath of an explosion that happened Jan. 24, 2020. (KPRC)

HOUSTON – A massive explosion rocked northwest Houston early Friday, shaking many people in the Spring Branch neighborhood out of their beds.

The blast was reported about 4:20 a.m. at Watson Valve Services near the corner of Gessner and Clay roads.

Residents who live near the epicenter said windows were blown out of their homes. Others said the shockwave collapsed their ceilings and roofs. The garage doors on some homes were also damaged.

“It busted out every window in our house,” said resident Mark Brady. “It’s a warzone over here.”

“I saw the windows starting to push in, so I put my hand in front of my face and it just blew in, everything blew in,” Chris Santiff said.

“We would never thought that this would happen in our neighborhood ... something like this,” Sandra Botellon said.

Botellon and her family said they are lucky to be alive.

Most will look back on this day never forgetting the vast damage, the neighborhood will never be the same.

Investigative reporter Mario Diaz exclusively toured a damaged home along with local officials:

See what residents are saying about the explosion in these videos.