Fatal Maryland house explosion follows gas smell reports
- Two people died in a house explosion in Bel Air, Maryland, on August 11, following reports of a gas smell the night before.
- Baltimore Gas and Electric investigated the reports but did not find a leak, although a technician and a neighbor had reported smelling gas.
- The incident has prompted BGE to enhance safety measures and will lead to further investigations into their practices.
On August 11, a house explosion in Bel Air, Maryland, resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including the homeowner, Ray Corkran Jr., and a contractor, Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado. The incident occurred after reports of a gas smell were made the previous night by a technician responding to a power outage and a neighbor. Despite these reports, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) did not find any gas leak at the time. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later revealed that another worker detected a gas odor shortly before the explosion. The preliminary report indicated that BGE had conducted a pressure test and found the gas system's operating pressure was below the maximum allowable limit. However, the presence of a hole in the plastic service line raised concerns about the safety of the gas infrastructure. In response to the incident, BGE announced measures to enhance safety and reliability, including refresher training for employees and increased oversight of emergency calls. The company emphasized its commitment to improving safety protocols for its customers and staff. The explosion not only claimed lives but also caused significant damage to neighboring homes, displacing some residents. The NTSB's ongoing investigation will focus on BGE's construction practices, response to odor complaints, and overall pipeline safety management, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.