No Injuries in Office Building Explosion in Howard County

Maria Leaf
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON– The investigation is continuing following a gas explosion in Columbia, Maryland this morning.

Howard County Fire and EMS crews were called to the 8800 block of Stanford blvd. around 8 a.m. Battalion Chief Stephen Hardesty says none of the businesses were open at the time.

No one was injured.

“Fire and rescue units were here for about 45 minutes to an hour before the explosion happened,” Hardesty said.

Hardesty says the office building, which housed a social security office, legal offices, a coffee shop and a workout facility among other businesses is expected to be deemed a total loss and is in danger of collapsing.

The Investigation is continuing into exactly what caused the gas leak. Baltimore Gas and Electric says it’s also investigating.

BGE crews have turned off gas service and are currently working closely with the fire department. Once it is safe to do so, BGE will investigate the cause of the incident.

— BGE (@MyBGE) August 25, 2019