Man charged with arson in connection with explosion in Essex

Police: Man charged with arson in connection with explosion at house in Essex

Updated: May 7, 2024, 9:46 a.m. EDT

FROM THIS HOUSE. Yes, that really doesn’t exist. KAI, take a look behind me and you’ll see that all that’s left of this house is a charred pile of rubble. Amazingly, there were no serious injuries, but neighbors here were in disbelief as they watched it burn Saturday night. We just ached and felt this loud bang. And our first thought was, uh, earthquake. REPORTER BUT JASON PEREIRA looked outside and realized this wasn’t an earthquake. The house behind him exploded. PEREIRA ran over to see if he could help and saw a man staggering from the remains of the house. I could see him walking around. I mean, he was obviously disoriented. Um, but he was able to get to the front, to the right front of the house, and get out. According to the fire department, a man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION SHORTLY AFTER 11 SATURDAY NIGHT THAT CAUSED THE FIRE IN THE HOUSE ON CRAFTON ROAD IN ESSEX. The flames were as high as this roof. THERE ON THAT SIDE, AND YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW THEY SPRAY IT WITH WATER AND EVERYTHING ELSE. About 100 firefighters responded to the scene to help fight the fire and they said they successfully prevented the fire from spreading. SOME NEIGHBORS HAVE SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE SUCH AS BROKEN WINDOWS AND MELTED EXTERIOR SHELF. PEREIRA’S BACK FENCE WAS MELTED BY THE HEAT, BUT NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO OTHER HOUSES. FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY ARE INVESTIGATING REPORTS FROM NEIGHBORS OF A POSSIBLE SMELL HOURS BEFORE THE EXPLOSION, BUT NO OFFICIAL CAUSE HAS BEEN DETERMINED. I could see flames of different colors rising. You know, you could see some blues and some greens. So it’s like, you know, in your head it’s like we know there are gas lines, but what is it? WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES THE NEIGHBORS HERE HAPPY? You know it could have been much worse. And her thoughts are with the family who lost everything. OF COURSE I WANT THE FAMILIES TO BE CARE OF. The family is taken care of. I know they had two young girls. UH. And I know they lost a lot. So, you know, that’s the biggest hope. NEIGHBORS SAY THE COMMUNITY HERE IS ORGANIZING HELP FOR THIS FAMILY

Police: Man charged with arson in connection with explosion at house in Essex

Updated: May 7, 2024, 9:46 a.m. EDT

Baltimore County police have arrested a man in connection with the April 20 explosion of a two-alarm home. Police say they have taken a man into custody and he is facing charges of first-degree arson and animal cruelty. Video above: Neighbors confused after house explosion in Essex. The explosion occurred at around 11pm on April 20 at 28 Crafton Road in Essex. Firefighters were unable to enter the building to search for victims as the destruction was extensive and the fire spread to surrounding houses. A family dog ​​is believed to have died in the fire. This story will be updated.

ESSEX, Md. –

Baltimore County police have arrested a man in connection with the April 20 explosion of a two-alarm home.

According to police, they have taken a man into custody and he is being charged with first-degree arson and animal cruelty.

Video above: Neighbors confused after house explosion in Essex

The explosion occurred at 28 Crafton Road in Essex at around 11pm on April 20. Due to the extent of the destruction and the fire’s spread to surrounding homes, firefighters were unable to enter the building and search for victims. A family dog ​​is believed to have died in the fire.

This story will be updated.