'Issue' Detected In One Home Involved In Baltimore Explosion: BGE

BALTIMORE, MD — Days after a deadly explosion in northwest Baltimore, BGE reports it has restored electricity to all customers in the surrounding community. No leaks in BGE gas mains were detected in the area, according to the utility company, which is switching on the gas after residences have passed inspections conducted by both BGE and the city of Baltimore.

In the aftermath of the explosion that killed two people, BGE turned off the gas at 34 properties around the blast site. Three homes were demolished and an adjacent rowhouse was severely damaged before 10 a.m. Monday in the 4200 block of Labyrinth Road. Windows reportedly blew out of houses nearby from the impact.

Dean Jones, a neighbor who ran out of his home without shoes to help as soon as he heard the explosion, told WJZ it was "like a bomb" had gone off on the block, where telephone poles were split, smoke was in the air, screams of "help!" were heard, and debris was scattered everywhere.

Lonnie Herriott, 61, and Joseph Graham, 20, died in the blast. Neither lived in the neighborhood. Seven others were injured in the explosion and were hospitalized, city fire officials reported.

Herriott was staying with her boyfriend, WBAL reported. Her body was found the day of the explosion, and her boyfriend was among the injured, according to the TV station.

Graham, a sophomore at Morgan State University, had been staying with a friend after a party, according to The Baltimore Sun. Crews found him dead in the debris early Tuesday morning.

Federal, state and city agencies are assisting in the investigation into what caused the blast.

BGE said there was no history of leaks reported by customers at the properties involved in the explosion in the last five years, and no gas odors were reported to the utility company from the area the day of the blast.

"BGE has found that all of its equipment — gas mains, gas service pipes and gas meters, as well as electric equipment — has been operating safely and was not the cause of the natural gas explosion that occurred Aug. 10," the utility company said in a statement Thursday, Aug. 13. "Investigators are also examining customer-owned gas piping and appliances at the scene."

While cause of the blast remains under investigation, BGE said there was a clue.

Data from one gas meter indicated "some type of issue beyond the BGE meter on customer-owned gas equipment," according to BGE, which reported investigators were analyzing the data.

Customer-owned equipment could include appliances like water heaters, dryers and furnaces, which may be evaluated as possible factors in the explosion, Carim Khouzami, chief executive officer for BGE, told WBAL.

To support the surrounding community, BGE reports it is donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross of Central Maryland, United Way of Central Maryland and Maryland Food Bank.

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