McDonogh School Smokestack Explodes; Officials Say 3 Injured

OWINGS MILLS, MD — Three people were injured at the McDonogh School after an explosion in the boiler room Wednesday morning, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department. As a precaution, school was dismissed early, while investigators looked into what caused the issue.

Firefighters were called to the McDonogh School in the 8600 block of McDonogh Road around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, after a smoke tower exploded on campus, officials said.

Crews found the top of the shot tower blown off, its bricks strewn about. The shot tower is a smokestack that is connected to the boiler room, officials reported. Immediately, firefighters established a "collapse zone" and searched buildings for anyone who may be trapped. They found that students and staff had evacuated on their own.

Two adults who had been working in the boiler room were injured in the explosion, according to officials. One was treated at the scene, and another was taken to a local hospital. A child was also taken to the hospital, according to fire officials. It was not known how the child became injured.

School was dismissed at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, as a precaution.

The McDonogh School posted the following message on its website about the incident: "All Students Safe: All students have been accounted for and are safe. The area of the explosion (the smokestack adjacent to Allan Building) has been cordoned off. While the campus has been deemed safe by the first responders, McDonogh has decided to take the safest course of action and dismiss students at 11:00 a.m. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled."

Initially, emergency personnel said two adults were harmed, then after 9 a.m. they reported one child was also injured. By 10:30 a.m., the fire department said one adult and one child were taken for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The Baltimore County Fire Department reported its collapse team was evaluating the stability of the building before 9 am. and advised people to avoid McDonogh Road due to emergency personnel in the area.

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health division is investigating.