Authorities: 2 Dead, 1 Injured in Maryland House Explosion

Two individuals have been confirmed dead, and another person was injured following a significant explosion that occurred on Sunday morning in a suburban neighborhood in Bel Air, Maryland. The blast completely destroyed a house and caused damage to several nearby homes, prompting a swift response from local authorities.

Emergency services received reports of the explosion around 6:42 a.m. on Arthur Woods Drive, situated approximately 32 miles north of Baltimore. The tragic incident claimed the life of a 35-year-old contractor employed by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), whose identity has not yet been disclosed. A female neighbor who lived next door was injured, sustaining cuts and bruises, and received treatment at the scene.

By the evening, officials announced that a second victim had been located among the debris, raising the death toll to two. The local medical examiner’s office is expected to release the identity of this individual.

As a direct consequence of the explosion, at least 12 families have been displaced, and officials are still assessing the total extent of the damage across multiple structures. A powerful image shared on social media captured firefighters battling flames and searching through the destruction, which was reduced to shattered wood, insulation, and other debris.

Master Deputy Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire expressed the severity of the explosion during a news conference, stating, “I’ve been on the job for 18 years and this was one of the largest explosions I’ve seen.” At the time of the blast, firefighters from the Harford County Fire Department were responding to reports of a gas leak in the area.

Jeffrey Sexton, a representative for the Harford County Fire and EMS Association, confirmed that the remains of the BGE contractor were found within a large area of debris. Search-and-rescue crews continued their efforts well into Sunday afternoon, meticulously sifting through the rubble that spanned several blocks.

Further details revealed that two other BGE contract workers had previously arrived at the scene to investigate an electrical issue. These workers were aware of reports concerning a gas odor prior to the explosion.

The incident left multiple homes damaged, and authorities have begun conducting damage assessments. Fortunately, no evacuations were deemed necessary following the blast. It has been confirmed that the house where the explosion occurred was listed for sale, though it remains unclear if anyone was inside at the time. Officials characterized the house as a total loss.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, in conjunction with the Harford County Sheriff’s Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, is investigating the cause of the explosion. Local residents reported hearing a loud blast and feeling the ground shake, showings of the explosion’s destructive force.

Neighbor Jefferey Beyers recounted how he and his wife were jolted awake by the “deafening explosion” that felt akin to an earthquake. He pointed out that the windows in their home had been blown out of their frames due to the force of the blast.

Beyers emphasized the importance of understanding the cause to prevent future incidents, stating, “I think it’s important to get to the bottom of it, like understand what happened so that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.” Another nearby resident, Marshall Garrett, described the moment as he rushed to the scene, arriving before the fire engines. He referred to the scene as one of complete devastation, likening it to something from a movie.

Garrett remarked, “At first, we saw just the rubble. Then we started to see the flames streak out, and the smoke go into the air.”

The situation remains under investigation as authorities seek to uncover the underlying causes of this tragic event, with many residents left shaken by the harrowing incident that rocked their community.