Essex, Maryland – An explosion tore through a residence in suburban Baltimore, resulting in one individual being hospitalized for injuries. The incident called for the response of numerous firefighters to extinguish the ensuing flames that engulfed the home.
According to Baltimore County fire officials, the emergency call reporting the explosion in the Essex community, located to the east of Baltimore, came in just after 11 p.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered the residence fully consumed by fire, as reported by WBAL-TV.
The injured individual, a man with burn wounds deemed non-life threatening, was promptly transported to the hospital. However, it remained uncertain if the individual was inside the house at the time of the explosion. Adjacent homes suffered moderate damage due to the fire, which was eventually contained by Sunday morning but still remains under investigation, stated fire Lt. Twana Allen.
Various agencies, including Baltimore Gas and Electric, hazardous materials teams, and fire investigators, converged on the scene to ascertain the cause of the explosion. Travis Francis, a spokesperson for the county fire department, stressed the importance of ensuring the neighborhood’s safety and expressed the need to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Footage circulated by the department on social media depicted billowing smoke emerging from the debris, with roofing structures and siding scattered across the property. The aftermath of the explosion serves as a reminder of the destructive force that can result from such incidents, prompting a closer examination by authorities to prevent future occurrences within the community.