Aug. 11 (UPI) – Two people were killed and another injured when an explosion damaged several homes in a Baltimore suburb Sunday morning, authorities said. One home was completely destroyed. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the discovery of a second victim of the explosion in a statement Sunday evening.
Additionally, the original victim was identified as the 73-year-old owner of the Bel Air home where the explosion occurred. The only person injured was a neighbor who was treated at the scene and declined transport to the hospital, officials said.
Authorities received a call about a house explosion around 6:42 a.m. EDT on Sunday, officials said during a news conference. When emergency responders arrived, they found what officials described as a debris field. Images of the scene posted online by local officials and agencies show the suburban street covered in lumber, plywood and construction materials.
Master Deputy Oliver Alkire of the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office explained that local firefighters were initially called to the scene of the fire because of a gas leak. While en route to the scene, units received several calls reporting a house explosion.
He said the exploded house had recently been for sale.
“What I can confirm is that there was a smell of gas in the area. We can confirm that BGE was aware of this and that BGE employees were on site,” he said.
He added that it was one of the largest explosive devices he had ever seen in his 18-year career.
Officials confirmed that Baltimore Gas and Electric crews had been investigating another electrical problem in the area shortly before the explosion.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
