An explosion at a wealthy Baltimore suburb killed at least one person and injured two, making it one of the largest explosions authorities have ever seen.
Emergency crews were alerted to a possible gas leak at a home on Arthur’s Woods Drive in Bel Air at 6:42 a.m. Sunday. WBAL TV Report.
Those calls were followed shortly by reports of an explosion, which Oliver Alkire of the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office said was one of the worst he had ever witnessed.
“This is one of the biggest explosions I’ve ever seen,” Alkire told reporters about the blast that destroyed nearly every inch of his home.
Footage from the aftermath of the fire showed the smoldering remains of the home, which was for sale, with timber and debris strewn across the street and deep into neighbouring yards.
Alkire said authorities had received reports of neighbors smelling gas nearby before the explosion, and crews from Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. were at the scene investigating the incident.
Authorities said one worker and a nearby resident were injured in the explosion, but did not disclose the identity of the person who died.
It was unclear whether the victims were residents of the home, neighbors or officials investigating a suspected gas leak.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was called in to assist with the investigation, and officials are treating the area like a crime scene due to the widespread nature of the wreckage.
Officials added that there is no current threat to the public.
The Harford County Fire & EMS Association had not released any further information as of Sunday morning.
