A tragic house explosion in Harford County, Maryland, early Sunday morning resulted in at least one fatality and two injuries, according to the Harford County Fire and EMS Association. The unexpected blast has left the community in shock as investigators search for answers.
The fire department was initially dispatched to the residence around 6:42 a.m. in response to reports of a gas leak outside the home. As firefighters approached the scene, they were informed that the house had exploded, according to Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire, who spoke at a news briefing later that morning.
Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a devastating scene—a vast debris field where the house once stood. Jeffrey Sexton, a spokesperson for the Harford County Fire Department, described the scene during the briefing, noting that additional assistance was immediately requested.
Photos and videos from the site reveal the total destruction of the house, with only piles of debris remaining. A neighboring home also sustained significant damage.
“I’ve been on the job for nearly 18 years; this is one of the largest explosions I’ve seen,” Alkire said, highlighting the severity of the incident.
@tparon (Todd Paron) “#BREAKINGNEWS A Home in Bel Air exploded two hours ago one deceased one injured this is in Baltimore Maryland. You will see drone footage of the devastation from the explosion. There’s not any framing left from the house. #BelAirExplosion #Baltimorehomeexplodes” Twitter August 11, 2024https://x.com/tparon/status/1822668136484675890
🚨🇺🇸#BREAKINGNEWS A Home in Bel Air exploded two hours ago one deceased one injured this is in Baltimore Maryland.
Of the two injured, one person declined to be transported to the hospital. The other injured individual was a utility worker from Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), who was already on-site with another worker investigating an electrical issue at the time of the explosion, according to Alkire. It remains unclear whether this electrical issue was connected to the explosion.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased victim, pending notification of the family.
Approximately 60 personnel from various fire and emergency services were present to assist with the explosion response. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are also involved in the ongoing investigation.
“Currently, it is still a very active search and rescue scene,” Alkire noted. “I can confirm that the house was listed for sale. However, we do not know at this point if there still is anyone inside.”
As of now, the cause of the explosion remains undetermined.
“Right now, we just don’t know,” Alkire responded when questioned about the possibility of a crime scene. “What I can confirm is that there was an odor of gas within the area. We can confirm that also BGE was aware of that odor within the area, and there were other — there were BGE-contracted workers on scene whenever the explosion occurred.”
Officials are continuing to assess the damage in the area, with multiple structures likely affected, including a neighboring house where a woman inside sustained injuries.
Although there is no ongoing threat to the public, Alkire urged the community to avoid the area and refrain from flying personal drones over the debris field.
Witness Recounts the Impact
The explosion was felt by residents living nearby. Lisa Czawlytko and her daughter were in their condo when the blast occurred.
“We’re in a top floor of a condo building with no elevator, so the whole building was shaking,” Czawlytko told NBC affiliate WBAL-TV. “We are about 0.3 miles from where the blast happened, and I thought it was a major earthquake.”
“I thought it was a bomb,” her daughter added, describing the intense shock of the explosion.
Uncertain Future as Investigation Continues
The exact cause of the Maryland house explosion remains under investigation, with authorities working diligently to uncover the facts. While the immediate danger has passed, the community is left grappling with the destruction and loss. As officials continue their search and assessment, more details may emerge to clarify what led to this devastating incident.
David Maloniez
David is a longtime political columnist who yearns to bring attention to matters that mean the most to the American people . He believes that the public should know the truth. His love for fairness is the driving force behind his articles. When he writes you can expect to see fairness for both sides.
