Deloris Gabriel Obituary, Death: Family mourns 87-year-old woman killed in Avondale home explosion.

Deloris Gabriel Obituary, Death – An explosion early Monday morning in Avondale, Louisiana, resulted in the tragic death of 87-year-old Deloris Gabriel and left several of her family members injured. The explosion destroyed her home, leaving only charred sidings and windows behind on the property located at Avondale Garden and Fourth streets.

According to the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office, Gabriel died in the explosion. Family members reported that five of her relatives were taken to the hospital with injuries. Among the injured were Gabriel’s son, daughter, son-in-law, four-year-old granddaughter, and seven-year-old grandson.

Cousin Adrienne Gabriel described the moment of the explosion, stating that she heard the blast and turned around to see her cousin’s house engulfed in flames. She and others were unable to rescue Deloris. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office has not provided updates on the condition of the injured family members, but Adrienne confirmed their involvement in the incident.

Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng expressed the community’s sorrow, saying that it was a difficult time for everyone, especially for the family members who had to witness the devastation and loss of a loved one. The loss was especially hard given the traumatic circumstances surrounding the explosion.

The explosion occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Monday, but the events leading up to it began earlier in the morning. At around 5:15 a.m., firefighters were called to the area after reports that a concrete truck had ruptured a gas line near a construction site on Avondale Garden and Highway 90. Emergency personnel, including firefighters and Atmos Energy crews, had arrived at the scene to address the gas leak. However, the situation escalated when Gabriel’s home exploded just over an hour later.

Jefferson Parish Fire Service Director Don Robertson noted that such an explosion was highly unusual in the area. He emphasized that incidents of this nature are not common, and the destruction caused was particularly severe. Local fire investigators, along with the State Fire Marshal, are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion and what triggered the fire that led to the blast.

In the aftermath of the explosion, Robertson offered a crucial reminder to the public about the dangers of natural gas leaks. He urged residents that if they ever smell natural gas, they should immediately evacuate the premises and call 911. It’s critical to contact professionals who are trained to handle gas-related emergencies and prevent disasters like the one that occurred in Avondale.

As authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion, the incident has left a lasting impact on the Gabriel family and the surrounding community. The explosion has served as a grim reminder of the dangers of gas leaks, particularly when they go undetected or are not properly addressed. The community is now left grieving the loss of a beloved matriarch, while also offering support to those who were injured and working through the traumatic events of the morning.