Large explosion flattens house, at least 1 dead in Bel Air, Maryland [VIDEOS]

A massive explosion crushed a home in Bel Air, Maryland, early Sunday morning, killing at least one person and damaging nearby homes.

Update on the apparent house explosion. Volunteer firefighters continue to search for victims. No current public threat. @HarfordCoDES Special Operations is responding with special teams to search for the debris.

Media staging is Abingdon Library 2510 South Tollgate Road, Abingdon. https://t.co/B7srld2j6N pic.twitter.com/H6g08Iwjwb

— Harford Co., MD Fire & EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) August 11, 2024

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The explosion occurred in Harford County after a gas leak, according to local authorities.

Fire officials responded to the report of a gas leak, but before they could get to the scene, the house exploded, said Chief Deputy Oliver Alkire of the State Fire Marshal's Office. Maryland. “I've been on the job for almost 18 years,” Alkire said, “This is one of the biggest explosions I've seen, especially in Harford County.”

At least one person is dead after a home explosion in Bel Air, officials say. https://t.co/7sZB17UWTB pic.twitter.com/UuJAmXNmaI

— WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore (@wbaltv11) August 11, 2024

Firefighters discovered a dead victim at the scene of the explosion. The victim's identity is pending notification of next of kin.

Update on the apparent house explosion.@MarylandOSFM confirm that the dead victim is a @MyBGE contractor The injured is a neighbor. One person remains missing. @HarfordCoDES Special operations work together with @MarylandOSFM, @ATFBaltimorei @Harford_Sheriff… https://t.co/cFkRJJTG72 pic.twitter.com/AS0I5PKuBW

— Harford Co., MD Fire & EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) August 11, 2024

About 60 emergency crews worked through the rubble to search for additional victims.

Two Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) workers, who had been called to solve an electrical problem, were on the scene when the explosion occurred.

A woman from a neighboring home, who also sustained significant damage, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

The blown-up house was for sale, but it is unknown if anyone was inside at the time of the explosion.

Authorities confirmed that a smell of gas was detected in the area before the explosion. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation and it is not known if it was intentional.

Bel Air, MD house explosion: Aerial video/photos of the scene of an apparent house explosion in the 2300 block of Arthur Woods Drive in #BelAirMD. #Explosion #Maryland #Abingdon #ExplosionCasa pic.twitter.com/ueOPPhaVFt

— Tim Pruss, MyDrone.Pro (@MyDronePro) August 11, 2024

Officials have asked the public to avoid the area and refrain from flying drones overhead while investigators do their work. Residents within the blast radius are asked to report any structural damage to local authorities.