By BEL AIR, Maryland – An early morning explosion on Sunday leveled a home and caused significant damage to neighboring residences in a suburban Baltimore neighborhood, resulting in two deaths and one injury.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the blast, which occurred around 6:42 a.m. ET on Arthurs Woods Drive in Harford County, approximately 30 miles northeast of Baltimore.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office identified the two victims on Monday afternoon as 35-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado, a contractor for Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), and 73-year-old Ray Corkran Jr., the homeowner.
Rodriguez-Alvarado was found dead at the scene amidst the widespread debris from the explosion, while Corkran’s body was recovered from under the rubble later that afternoon, according to officials.
“With the assistance of heavy machinery, investigators located the victim within the debris,” the fire marshal’s office reported, confirming Corkran’s death.
The explosion also injured one person, who was inside a neighboring house at the time of the blast.
This individual was promptly rescued and transported to a local hospital for treatment, as confirmed by Maryland State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire.
Search-and-rescue crews spent Sunday afternoon combing through the remains of Corkran’s home, which was completely destroyed by the powerful explosion.
According to the fire marshal’s office, Rodriguez-Alvarado had been working at the site when the blast occurred.
The explosion sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, damaging multiple homes adjacent to the destroyed residence.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion, though investigations are ongoing.
This tragic incident underscores the destructive potential of such explosions, prompting further scrutiny into the safety of gas lines and other potential contributing factors in residential areas.
