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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
August 12, 2020 Blair Adams, PIO
(443) 690-4396 (Cell)
(410) 396-5616 (Office)
Blair.Adams2@BaltimoreCity.gov
PRESS RELEASE
Two Dead, 7 Injured in W. Baltimore Explosion
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - (Baltimore, MD) – An adult man and woman have been confirmed dead after a Monday morning explosion in West Baltimore that destroyed three homes and damaged several others.
Just before 10:00 a.m., the Baltimore City Fire Department responded to the 4200 block of Labyrith Rd. after multiple reports of an explosion within a three-block radius. Upon arrival, firefighters immediately began clearing out a considerable amount of debris and rubble after learning there were possible occupants inside the homes during the time of the explosion.
As firefighters removed massive amounts of debris, they rescued seven victims including a 20-year-old man (Stable), 27-year-old woman (Discharged), a 34-year-old man (Critical), a 37-year-old woman (Discharged), a 64-year-old man (Discharged), a 65-year-old man (Stable) and a 93-year-old man (Discharged).
As recovery efforts continued, firefighters located the body of 61-year-old Lonnie Herriott just before noon on Monday and 20-year-old Joseph Graham just before 1:00 am early Tuesday morning.
“During this horrific event, the City of Baltimore has come together as one community and shown deliberate and action driven compassion for those impacted by this incident,” said Fire Chief Niles R. Ford. “The explosion was devastating, and our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased and injured, as well as those that have been displaced from their homes."
Since Tuesday, the Baltimore City Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross spoke with residents in the community, as clean-up efforts began. Chief Ford said, “along with the Office of Emergency Management, we will provide as much support as we can so residents can retrieve some – if not most – of their belongings”.
So far, nearly 30 residents were displaced and offered temporary shelter, and nearly 200 homes were said to be damaged because of the explosion.
At this time, the cause of the explosion remains under investigation and the cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner's Office.
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