1 Person Dead, Another Injured After House Collapses In Annapolis

Updated Thursday, 10 a.m.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — One person is dead, and another was hospitalized with burn injuries Wednesday after a reported house explosion in Annapolis.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said first responder teams were dispatched shortly before 12:30 p.m. to the 1100 block of Green Holly Drive in Annapolis.

Larry Schultz, the assistant fire chief of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, said a woman was extricated from the debris field by neighbors following the collapse. Despite life-saving measures, she was later pronounced dead at the scene after going into cardiac arrest.

A man was also removed from within the collapsed home and subsequently hospitalized with significant burns.

Schultz said a neighbor who assisted at the scene was treated for exhaustion, and that one police officer suffered an injury to their leg.

More than 50 first responders from across the region assisted in the case.

"Kudos to the neighbors that were outside and came to the help, to assist the first person. It was exactly what needed to happen and exactly what they did," Schultz said.

"I can't say enough about the firefighters who arrived and very calmly engaged into the structure, which still had uncontrolled gas issues and structural integrity."

'Some Type Of Explosion'

While there was no fire, the assistant chief said the house collapsed after "some type of explosion" that left a debris field over half a block.

The incident occurred about an hour after a propane vendor had stopped by the home, according to Schultz.

One of the homeowners was seen working outside on the house moments before the collapse. However, Schultz said there is no current indicator suggesting the work was connected to the incident.

Schultz said investigators are currently prioritizing identifying the source of the collapse and then confirming that no other individuals were inside the home.

A dog specializing in urban search and rescue was dispatched to the scene from the DC Fire and EMS Department.

Calls For Ring Camera Footage

At present, two families are temporarily displaced as their homes were on opposite sides of the impacted house. Schultz said they would be cleared to return once the propane threat is eliminated.

There was "little to no damage" to both neighboring homes, the assistant chief said.

Both residents and private drone users are being asked to avoid the immediate area.

Authorities are asking neighbors with Ring cameras to provide any footage they may have captured of the propane vendor.

Road closures remain in place on Green Holly Drive between Ramblewood and Rolling View drives until further notice.