NTSB Reports on Deadly Bel Air Explosion

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary findings on the August 11 house explosion in Bel Air, Maryland, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The explosion occurred after two reports of a gas odor were made the night before, one by a neighbor and another by a Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) technician responding to an electrical outage. Despite inspecting the area, BGE did not find a gas leak at that time. On the morning of the explosion, two BGE contractors were present to resolve the issues; one contractor and the homeowner were killed in the blast. The NTSB report detailed the gas distribution system, noting that gas pressure was below the maximum allowable level, and found a damaged service line with a hole. The investigation is ongoing, with considerations of water saturation’s impact on gas line corrosion being examined as a potential factor.