Utility contractor, resident killed in Bel Air house explosion, officials say (2024)

A massive explosion in Bel Air killed two people and displaced a dozen families.An explosion leveled a house on Arthurs Woods Drive in Bel Air around 6:45 a.m. Sunday. Twelve other neighbors are displaced with damage to their homes."All of a sudden, a massive explosion, a bomb went off. All the doors blew open, front door blew open, the basem*nt doors blew open, the back door blew open," neighbor Chuck Laubach said.Laubach said he considers himself lucky. He lives just two doors down, and his home suffered only minor damage. But the front door of the home that exploded landed in his backyard."The front door actually went above the house next door and landed in our backyard and again everything shattered in the house the backyard, but we’re lucky because the force of the explosion went just to the right of us," Laubach said.The Maryland State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Baltimore Gas and Electric are all sifting through the debris to figure out exactly what happened. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating as it has jurisdiction over gas lines.Officials said a BGE-contracted crew was on the scene to fix an electrical problem in the area when someone called 911 to report the smell of gas. Then the house exploded. Neighbors ran outside and saw the BGE contractors. "He screamed to me, 'I can’t find my partner' or whatever he said at the time," said Dieter Thomann, a witness.Officials confirmed one of the BGE contractors, Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado, 35, died in the explosion. Hours later, the body of the homeowner, Ray Corkran Jr., 73, was found in the debris.Video below: SkyTeam 11 surveys damage from house explosion"I think he grew up in Middle River and lived here. He was the first buyer here in the neighborhood, and when his wife passed away, he decided to sell the house and move back to where he grew up in Middle River and be on the water," Laubach said."He was actually preparing to list his home for sale today. He was actually prepared to meet with a realtor today and list that home," said Oliver Alkire, master deputy State Fire Marshal.Deputy state fire marshals and ATF agents have concluded their on-scene investigation and turned the scene over to the insurance representatives. Crews have already begun cleaning up the copious debris strewn throughout the neighborhood, and restoration companies are beginning to make repairs to nearby homes.Investigators will now focus on reviewing the evidence and data they collected, including physical items, such as gas and electrical piping, interviews, video surveillance and data from BGE. Video below shows aftermath of Bel Air house explosion (Sam Casale)BGE released a statement in the afternoon, saying:"BGE received a call from the Harford County Fire Department this morning to report a house fire in the 2300 block of Arthurs Woods Drive. BGE crews responded at the request of the fire department to assist with the response and investigation. The cause of the incident is under investigation. We can confirm that BGE contractors were on site responding to an electric service matter at the time of the incident. Please direct all questions to the Harford County Fire Department at this time."Anyone who smelled gas in the area or whose home was damaged by the blast can report it to the county online here. (A previously created telephone hotline has been shut down.)The contractor company, Hammer's Utility Corp., released a statement, saying:"We are saddened by this tragic loss of our friend and employee. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this most difficult time."Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray released a statement, saying:"Our hearts are broken for the two victims and their families. Our team of highly qualified investigators and our partners at ATF are dedicated to providing an answer that will lead to safer communities."A tragedy of this size is heart-wrenching for Maryland. I want to thank every Harford County Fire and EMS service member that responded, Harford County Sheriff's Office, Harford County Department of Emergency Services and their Special Operations Team, and Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly for their outstanding all-in approach to teamwork."The search-and-rescue operation continued through Sunday as investigators sifted through debris. Shortly after 11:45 a.m., county emergency officials said the investigation continued in a recovery mode. By 6 p.m., the scene remained active as an investigation continued.Alkire said the incident is not a crime scene but officials are treating it like a crime scene because of the vast debris field.Raw video below: Officials provide update to house explosion

BEL AIR, Md. —

A massive explosion in Bel Air killed two people and displaced a dozen families.

An explosion leveled a house on Arthurs Woods Drive in Bel Air around 6:45 a.m. Sunday. Twelve other neighbors are displaced with damage to their homes.

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"All of a sudden, a massive explosion, a bomb went off. All the doors blew open, front door blew open, the basem*nt doors blew open, the back door blew open," neighbor Chuck Laubach said.

Laubach said he considers himself lucky. He lives just two doors down, and his home suffered only minor damage. But the front door of the home that exploded landed in his backyard.

"The front door actually went above the house next door and landed in our backyard and again everything shattered in the house the backyard, but we’re lucky because the force of the explosion went just to the right of us," Laubach said.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Baltimore Gas and Electric are all sifting through the debris to figure out exactly what happened. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating as it has jurisdiction over gas lines.

Officials said a BGE-contracted crew was on the scene to fix an electrical problem in the area when someone called 911 to report the smell of gas. Then the house exploded. Neighbors ran outside and saw the BGE contractors.

"He screamed to me, 'I can’t find my partner' or whatever he said at the time," said Dieter Thomann, a witness.

Officials confirmed one of the BGE contractors, Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado, 35, died in the explosion. Hours later, the body of the homeowner, Ray Corkran Jr., 73, was found in the debris.