At least one person was found dead and two others were injured when an explosion Sunday morning leveled a home and damaged multiple neighboring residences in a suburban Baltimore neighborhood, authorities said.
The blast was reported around 6:42 a.m. on Arthur Woods Drive in the Harford County city of Bel Air, about 32 miles north of Baltimore, according to officials.
A photo posted on X by Harford County Fire and Emergency Medical Services showed firefighters battling a small fire and searching the remains of the home, which was reduced to splintered pieces of wood, insulation and other debris.
One person was killed on Aug. 11, 2024, when an explosion destroyed a home in Bel Air, Maryland, according to authorities. The cause of the blast is under investigation.
Hartford County, Maryland, Fire and EMS
“I’ve been on the job for 18 years and this was one of the largest explosions I’ve seen,” Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire said during a news conference Sunday.
Alkire said firefighters from the Harford County Fire Department were responding to a report of a gas leak in the area when the explosion occurred.
Jeffrey Sexton, a spokesperson for the Harford County Fire and EMS Association, confirmed that one person was found dead in a large debris field caused by the explosion. The name of the deceased person was not immediately released.
Sexton said search-and-rescue crews are still combing the rubble as of mid-morning Sunday.
Alkire said workers from the Baltimore Gas and Electric company had also responded to the area before the explosion to investigate an electrical issue. Alkire said a BG&E worker was injured by the blast.
He said a woman in a neighboring home damaged by the explosion was also hurt and treated at the scene.
Alkire said multiple homes were damaged and that a damage assessment was being conducted. He said no evacuations have been ordered.
Alkire confirmed the house that exploded was for sale.
Residents in the neighborhood reported hearing the loud explosion and feeling their houses shake, authorities said.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Harford County Sheriff’s Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
ABC News’ Davone Morales contributed to this report.
A tragic incident occurred in Maryland recently as one individual was discovered deceased in a residence explosion. The explosion, which occurred in a residential neighborhood, has left the community in shock and mourning for the loss of life.
The explosion took place in the early hours of the morning, causing significant damage to the home and neighboring properties. Emergency services were quick to respond to the scene, working tirelessly to extinguish the flames and search for any survivors. Unfortunately, only one individual was found in the wreckage, and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, with authorities working to determine what led to such a devastating event. Initial reports suggest that a gas leak may have been the cause, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.
Neighbors and community members have come together to offer support to the family of the deceased individual and those affected by the explosion. The loss of life in such a sudden and tragic manner has left many in shock and disbelief.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in the home, particularly when it comes to gas appliances and potential hazards. It is crucial for homeowners to regularly check for gas leaks and ensure that all appliances are properly maintained to prevent such accidents from occurring.
As the investigation into the Maryland residence explosion continues, the community is left grieving for the loss of life and coming together to support one another during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased individual as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy.
