Baltimore Gas Explosion: 1 Dead, 6 Injured, Many Rescued From Rubble
Baltimore, Maryland: One woman is dead, six people were taken to the hospital in serious condition, and firefighters sifted through the rubble for more survivors after a Baltimore gas explosion ripped through three row houses on Monday.
#BCOFD // House Explosion// Multiple units from Baltimore County has been requested to assist Baltimore City Fire Department with a house explosion. ^MJ pic.twitter.com/zUQwrYcJ3K
— Baltimore County Fire Department (@BaltCoFire) August 10, 2020
The blast occurred in a residential neighborhood called Reisterstown Station. It left shattered glass and debris throughout the area.
“I jumped up to see what was going on. I looked out the bathroom window and there was a house on the ground. It sounded like a bomb went off.” Nearby resident Diane Glover
Several members of the neighborhood ran toward the site of the Baltimore gas explosion to see if they could help and started digging through the rubble. Others brought food and stayed out all day to help those who lost their homes.
This is Dean – he tells me he along with several others – dug through the rubble to save a woman who was trapped @wbalradio pic.twitter.com/xRDJCzi5Vl
— Phil Yacuboski (@WBALPhil) August 10, 2020
This is what the worst in times brings out the best in people looks like. So many of these people have been out here ALL DAY to help. Just talked to a 90-year-old woman who was home, 4 doors down from the blast. Her grandson called her a “Lion”. #BaltimoreExplosion pic.twitter.com/luIhlwAoee
— Eddie Kadhim (@EddieKadhimWMAR) August 10, 2020
Trapped children shouted for someone to come and get them, according to WSFA. One US Army artillery veteran of the Korean War, Major Watkins Jr, said the blast “sounded like Korea.” His home was destroyed.
Screenshot of Major Watkins Jr and Caroline Youngblood via Twitter: @cmcampbell6
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is one of the oldest utility companies in the US – and has thousands of miles of “obsolete pipes.” The utility reports that they find around two dozen dangerous leaks every day. Replacing the system would cost at least $1 Billion and 20 years, according to an article in the Baltimore Sun from 2019. The company asked the Maryland Public Service Commission in 2017 to approve a new gas infrastructure, and a cost recovery system to pay for upgrades.
By Monday afternoon BGE spokesperson Linda Foy said the company was still working to cut off the gas to that area.
“Crews are working to turn off gas to the buildings in the immediate area. Once the gas is off we can begin to safely assess the situation including inspections of BGE equipment.” Linda Foy, spokesperson for BGE
BGE heavy equipment was being brought into the site.
BGE heavy construction equipment has arrived at the scene of the building explosion… pic.twitter.com/OI6Ckzs4Yx
— Colin Campbell ☀️ (@cmcampbell6) August 10, 2020
Featured photo: screenshot via Twitter
