Northwest Baltimore suffered a serious blast on Monday, with several houses destroyed and many people believed to be injured. Crews are currently looking for people underneath the debris.
A major gas explosion has been reported in Baltimore, Maryland, with at least one person believed dead and many more trapped, according to local tv station WBFF. Baltimore City firefighters are currently on the scene at Labyrinth and Reisterstown Road. According to reports, three homes were involved in the explosion.
Baltimore City Fire officials said in an update that six people were involved in the blast, with four people being transported to hospital in a “serious condition”.
Baltimore Police earlier announced on Twitter:
Earlier reports indicated that two people were transported to hospitals in “serious condition”. A deceased person is believed to be a woman.
Baltimore City Fire Department said that a media briefing will be provided at noon local time.
Baltimore’s Special Rescue Operations personnel were called to the scene of the explosion, with search operation still going on.
According to the Twitter of Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 unit, rescuers were “communicating with one person still trapped”.
Baltimore County Fire Department and Baltimore County Professional Firefighters Association are assisting the search.
It was initially reported that at least five people, including children, were trapped underneath the debris.
US Occupational Safety and Health Administration building inspector Kevin Matthews, who is also living in the area, told the Baltimore Sun that he heard trapped children crying underneath the collapsed buildings. He also said that he saw one person being buried “from the neck down”. The Sun reported that the explosion could have been heard miles away, while neighbours reported blown out windows in their houses.
On Monday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said on Twitter: “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”.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
