BALTIMORE (WJZ) ? One person was killed and seven people were injured after a gas explosion in a northwest Baltimore neighborhood Monday morning.
Crews continue searching the rubble with the help of K9 units to find any other victims. On Monday afternoon, they pulled another victim out of the rubble; no information on the person?s status is available.
Large equipment was also being brought in to help move the debris out of the way.
The explosion happened around 9:54 a.m. in the area of Reisterstown Road and Brookhill Road near Labyrinth Road. Three homes collapsed and the force of the explosion and debris blew out windows and doors in nearby homes.
Baltimore City fire officials said a woman died and at least five others were taken to area hospitals to be treated, some with critical injuries. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
One man told WJZ?s Paul Gessler that three members of his family were injured in the explosion, but all are expected to recover.
Reisterstown Road is closed between Clarks Lane and Fallstaff Road. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.
City councilman Isaac ?Yitzy? Schleifer said housing inspectors are on scene to inspect the homes in the area and that there?s been damage reported five blocks away.
City crews are also helping residents board up damaged windows and doors while the American Red Cross is helping displaced residents.
Neighbors and other groups are also on scene handing out water and food. The group is also collecting donations of clothing, food and other essentials outside the Applebees in Reisterstown Plaza.
They?ll also have counselors present.
?Once we find out how many people cannot return to their homes, we?ll make arrangements for them to find a safe secure place to stay tonight, most likely a hotel,? an official said.
On Tuesday, the Red Cross will work one-on-one with the families whose homes have been destroyed, who have injured family members, who have lost a loved one. Their services will include mental health, spiritual health, and health services. They?ll also have volunteers providing financial assistance information and referrals.
Baltimore Gas & Electric is on the scene and the gas is being turned off in the immediate area. BGE crews are investigating what caused the explosion.
?The cause of this morning?s explosion in northwest Baltimore is currently unknown. BGE responded to the scene at the Fire Department?s request to shut off gas and electric service in the area to make the scene safe. BGE has canvassed the area and found no current readings of gas. Once fire rescue is complete, we will begin the process of working with the Fire Department to investigate BGE equipment in the area. These inspections will include the gas mains, service piping leading to properties and gas meters.
Customer-owned appliances and piping will also be investigated. Area inspections will encompass homes and gas equipment in a wide area to ensure there is no additional damage. In addition, BGE is reviewing records for this area, including any reported gas odors, recent inspection results and repairs. We are working with the Fire Department to ensure continued safety and to aid in its investigation. As always, immediate reporting of any gas odors or issues is critical to public safety.
If you suspect a gas leak or have any gas concerns where you live or work, get to a safe location and report it to BGE immediately by calling (877) 778-7798 or by calling 911. BGE will respond 24 hours a day to investigate and make the situation safe. For non-gas leak concerns, please call (800) 685-0123. For additional information about gas safety and what to do in a gas emergency visit
www.BGE.com/gassafety.?
Tasha Jamerson, with BGE, said residents should continue to report if they smell gas. Call 1-877-685-0123.
As of 6 p.m. Monday, 38 customers were without gas service. More than 200 had been without power, but crews have since restored electricity in the area.
In a Citizen app video you can see the immediate aftermath of the explosion of the scene. Note: Language is NSFW.
Three Rescued, Additional People Trapped After Three-Home Explosion @CitizenApp
Brookhill Rd & Reisterstown Rd 9:48:20 AM EDThttps://citizen.com/static/scripts/embed.js
Eyewitnesses told WJZ they heard a large boom and felt the ground shake for at least a four-block radius. Debris was seen scattered in the roadway and there?s rubble where three homes stood.
?I heard a kaboom and I thought it was a car or something and when I came out, I seen the debris and something?s gone, totally gone,? one man told WJZ reporter Paul Gessler.
Another man, Dean Jones, told WJZ when he heard the explosion he ran from his home without any shoes. When he arrived at where the explosion happened he could hear someone saying ?help? from under the rubble.
Credit: WJZ/ Chopper 13
?It was catastrophic. It was like a bomb, like you watch things in other countries where they have like bombings and things like that,? Jones said. ?It was like watching that in real life. Telephone poles split, I mean, houses down the block, broken glass. When I initially got there, I could hear a voice just saying ?Help,? it?s crazy. It?s something I don?t ever wanna see ever again; I don?t want to relive it ever again.?
He said he did all he could to help until first responders arrived. Jones said he smelled smoke and gas at the scene.
From Chopper 13, you could see just how large the explosion area is and you could see how far the debris spread.
Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes, many sitting in the shade because it?s so hot outside. Many people are wearing masks due to COVID-19, trying to stay safe while helping their neighbors.
Many homes in the area don?t have power ? at least 230 customers, and gas ? meaning no air conditioning on this hot day. WJZ reporters and other eyewitnesses at the scene said they have smelled gas at the scene today.
Employees at the nearby Applebees told WJZ they could feel the explosion a couple of blocks away.
Gov. Larry Hogan thanked first responders and said state officials are monitoring the situation.
In a statement, Hogan also said:
?This morning, an explosion destroyed three homes in the Reisterstown Station neighborhood in northwest Baltimore. First responders are still performing rescue operations, and several victims have been transported to area hospitals. So far, we know that the explosion has taken one life. Our prayers are with the victims and all those affected by this tragedy.?
?The Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, and the Maryland Public Service Commission are all assisting on the ground. We continue to offer the State of Maryland?s full support to local officials.?
Several fire companies from nearby counties, like Baltimore and Howard counties, are helping with the search as well as the ATF, Maryland State Fire Marshal?s Office, FEMA and the American Red Cross.
ATF Baltimore Special Agents and Explosives Enforcement Officer are responding to assist our @BaltimoreFire partners at the scene of an explosion at Labyrinth and Reisterstown Roads involving 3 homes. Follow @BaltimoreFire for updates on this incident. pic.twitter.com/kyIsEAGHSI
? ATF Baltimore (@ATFBaltimore) August 10, 2020
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