BEL AIR, Md. — A neighbor reported smelling gas to a utility company the night before a home exploded in Bel Air, Maryland, killing two people, The Baltimore Sun has reported.
Residents near the home have been saying that they smelled gas Saturday night, but the State Fire Marshal’s office stated they had no record of anyone reporting that to either 911 or Baltimore Gas and Electric.
One resident, Carline Fisher, told the newspaper that she reported the gas smell to BGE Saturday night and spoke to a worker who arrived in response. Given that information, a fire marshal’s spokesman contacted investigators looking into the explosion who told him that BGE indeed received a call at 8:24 p.m. Saturday, the Sun reported.
Ray Corkran, the homeowner, and a BGE contractor, Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado, died in the explosion Sunday morning.
Fisher told The Sun she “immediately” smelled gas when she left her home to walk her dogs around 8 p.m. Saturday. Fisher, who lives about a third of a mile away from Corkran’s home, said that as she walked she continued to smell gas.
A BGE spokesperson declined to comment to the newspaper, citing an ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. He referred questions to the NTSB, which is among the agencies and other entities that have been investigating the incident. An NTSB spokeswoman said she did not have immediate answers to The Sun’s questions about how BGE handled the report of a gas smell on Saturday night.
Oliver Alkire, a spokesperson and master deputy with the State Fire Marshal’s office, had said since earlier this week that he was told by investigators from his agency and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions, that there were no calls either to 911 or BGE about a gas odor that night.
But on Thursday, Alkire said, the investigators told him they had indeed interviewed Fisher, and she had told them about calling BGE.
“It fell through the cracks,” Alkire said of the investigators initially not relaying to him what Fisher had said.
There might have been some confusion over BGE’s presence in the neighborhood Saturday night because the utility company had sent a truck there about an electrical issue at Corkran’s house, Alkire said.
At least one resident who said he had smelled gas Saturday night told The Sun he didn’t report it because he saw a BGE truck on the street and assumed it had responded to someone else reporting the odor.
Jennifer Gabris, a spokesperson for the NTSB. said Thursday its investigation was continuing and that the team remained on the scene. She said she expected a preliminary report of the NTSB’s findings would be released in about 30 days.
A tragic incident occurred in Maryland recently when a house explosion took place, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. According to reports, a neighbor had smelled gas the night before the explosion, raising concerns about a potential gas leak.
The incident took place in the early hours of the morning, when the house suddenly exploded, sending debris flying and causing a fire to break out. Emergency services rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames and search for any survivors.
Reports indicate that a neighbor had noticed a strong smell of gas coming from the house the night before the explosion. This raises questions about whether there was a gas leak that went undetected, leading to the tragic outcome.
Gas leaks are a serious safety hazard that can result in explosions, fires, and even fatalities. It is important for homeowners to be vigilant and aware of the signs of a gas leak, such as a rotten egg smell, hissing sounds, or dead vegetation near gas lines.
If you suspect a gas leak in your home, it is crucial to take immediate action. Leave the area immediately, avoid using any electrical appliances or open flames, and call your gas company or emergency services for assistance.
In the case of the Maryland house explosion, it is a stark reminder of the importance of being aware of potential hazards in our homes and neighborhoods. It is essential to report any unusual smells or signs of gas leaks to prevent tragic incidents like this from happening.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion and working to determine what could have been done to prevent such a devastating event. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy, and we hope that lessons can be learned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
