A large explosion in Baltimore on Monday morning killed one person and left others trapped and injured amid multiple damaged homes.
The Baltimore City Fire Department tweeted that one adult woman is dead after the “major” gas explosion involving three homes in a neighborhood in the northwest part of the city.
The department said six people involved in the explosion include four who were transported to hospitals in serious condition, the woman who died at the scene, and an additional person firefighters are currently working to rescue.
Crews are still searching through the rubble with the help of K9 units to try and find any other victims. CBS Baltimore reported that large equipment is also being brought in to help move the debris. City crews are also helping residents board up damaged windows, and the American Red Cross is helping displaced residents. Neighbors and other groups on the scene have been handing out food and water.
“The cause is under investigation as we continue to search for any possible additional occupants,” the department said in a tweet.
Update: 6 people involved in W. Baltimore gas explosion includes 4 people transported in serious condition, 1 adult woman deceased, & FFs continue to rescue additional occupant. The cause is under investigation as we continue to search for any possible additional occupants.
— Baltimore Fire (@BaltimoreFire) August 10, 2020
Officials said the explosion involved three homes. Two people who were recovered from the scene were in serious condition with one was taken to Shock Trauma and one taken to a nearby hospital. The woman who died was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s a labor-intensive rescue. … We have homes that were pretty much crumbled,” Baltimore Fire Department spokeswoman Blair Adams told the Baltimore Sun.
More than 200 rescue personnel responded to the incident.
The exact cause of the explosion was not immediately known. The gas lines in the area have been shut off, but electrical lines were still active.
Special Rescue Operations units arrived at the scene to conduct a search-and-rescue mission for others.
BREAKING: At least five people are trapped after a major explosion in Baltimore on Monday morning // @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/nAoZkbhPsx
— j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) August 10, 2020
Officials from Baltimore Gas and Electric and the Baltimore office of emergency management were on the scene. Firefighters from the Baltimore County Fire Department have also been called in to help.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he is closely monitoring the situation and that he has reached out to offer support to the rescue and recovery efforts.
We are closely monitoring the situation in northwest Baltimore following this morning’s horrific explosion. We have reached out to offer our full support to the ongoing response and recovery efforts, and are deeply grateful to the first responders on the scene.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) August 10, 2020
