BALTIMORE – A Baltimore gas and electrical contractor and a 73-year-old man, believed to be a homeowner, died in a house explosion in Harford County Sunday morning. A neighbor was also injured and 12 families in the community were forced to evacuate their homes.
Oliver Alkire of the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office said the house is for sale and the wheelchair-bound homeowner is expected to meet with a real estate agent.
“He was home. From what I understand and the information we received, he was preparing to put his house up for sale today,” Alkire said. “He was actually preparing to meet with a realtor today and put it up for sale today.”
Emergency crews said a gas leak caused a house explosion in the 2300 block of Arthur Woods Drive shortly after 6:30 a.m.
The BGE contractor was found dead at home, while the homeowner was later found in the rubble.
BGE confirmed that contractors were in the building at the time of the explosion.
Fire department officials believe there is no danger to the public and that passers-by should stay away from the scene of the fire.
“There were about 60 people on scene from the beginning of the incident,” said Jeffrey Sexton, spokesman for Harford County Fire and EMS. “The main thing is that this is still an active incident and an active investigation.”
The Maryland State Fire Marshal is leading a joint investigation with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF to determine the cause of the explosion.
The Harford County Emergency Department has set up a hotline for residents to report information related to the explosion.
They are urging anyone who smells gas or notices damage to their home to contact them at 410-838-5800.
“I thought a bomb had exploded”
Neighbours were alerted on Sunday morning by a loud boomSome thought it might have been an earthquake, while others thought it might be something else.
“No one knew what was going on. I thought a bomb had exploded,” said Kathy Genova, who lives near the site of the explosion.
Several nearby homeowners reported broken windows and debris falling from the sky.
“I woke up and the windows were all in place,” Genova said.
Neighbors are shocked after learning of the explosion that killed a BGE contractor.
“I came out of the house and everyone in my neighborhood was amazed at what had just happened,” said neighbor Katie Hershel.
The impact can already be felt several blocks away
The force of the explosion was felt by residents nearby and in the surrounding blocks.
“Windows and sliding glass doors completely frame the walls and closets open up the view of things,” said Genova.
“I looked and saw that it felt like lightning had struck my house. I looked for damage, but I couldn’t see anything,” Hershel added. “Just a lot of debris on our main street behind our house.”
Some neighbors attended a meeting of emergency responders on Sunday morning to ask if it was safe to return home.
“In case there was structural damage and foundation damage,” said neighbor Lisa Czawlytko. “We wanted to know whether we would need to evacuate or not.”
“The more you walk around, the more you see. I see cracks in my ceiling,” Genova said.
Debris from the explosion was scattered nearly half a mile away.
“The debris field is extensive,” said Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly. “Large pieces of debris over a fairly wide area and the insulation is still falling down like snow.”
Cassilly said emergency responders from across the county are working around the clock to ensure everyone affected gets the help they need.
“Our structural engineers are looking at their homes to make sure no other homes have structural issues and that many windows are protected from the blast and debris,” Cassilly said.
