Baltimore High-Rise Explosion: 21 Hospitalized, Officials Say

BALTIMORE, MD — Multiple people were hospitalized Wednesday morning after an explosion at a high-rise in downtown Baltimore, officials said. Nearly two dozen people were rescued, according to authorities.

"This morning, an explosion at the BGE Building ignited a fire near the top of the building, trapping people on the surrounding scaffolding," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. "The Baltimore City Fire Department remains on scene as the cause of the explosion is still under investigation."

Crews rescued 23 people, including two who declined to be taken to the hospital, the Baltimore City Fire Department reported. Firefighters continued searching the building, officials said before 11:45 a.m.

Emergency personnel were first called to the building off West Fayette Street before 9 a.m.

A spokesperson for BGE said the incident at its offices at 2 Center Plaza was construction-related.

"Construction work was occurring on the building's air handling and boiler system, which likely caused the incident," Stephanie Ann Weaver said on behalf of BGE.

"Window washing scaffolding was compromised because of the incident, and a window washing crew was pulled to safety by the fire department," Weaver said.

An explosion on the 16th floor had trapped two workers in scaffolding, according to the Baltimore Firefighters Union IAFF Local 734, which was called to rescue them.

The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting with the investigation.

BCFD on a scene of an explosion with a partial roof collapse in the 100 block of W. Fayette St. At least 10 people have been transported to area hospitals; 9 in critical condition and 1 in serious condition. Media staging area at W. Fayette St. and N. Charles St. pic.twitter.com/eq5kqUDFCB
— Baltimore Fire (@BaltimoreFire) December 23, 2020

INITIAL REPORTS: An explosion has been reported at a high-rise Wednesday morning in Baltimore. Special operations crews have been called to help with the rescue.

About 21 people were rescued and 10 were hospitalized after the explosion in the 100 block of Fayette Street, according to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. He said the cause remains under investigation, in a report after 10:30 a.m.

One person was in serious condition and nine others were in critical condition, according to the Baltimore Fire Department, which reported at least 10 people had been taken to area hospitals for treatment by 9:45 a.m.

There is evidence of an explosion on the 16th floor of a building in the unit block of West Lexington Street, according to the Baltimore Firefighters Union IAFF Local 734.

Two workers were trapped in the scaffolding, the firefighters union reported before 9 a.m.

Two people were being treated on the ground for burns, according to authorities.

Six people were injured, and two people have been rescued, fire officials told WBFF before 9:30 a.m.

EXPLOSION WITH RESCUE
39 W Lexington St 21201#DowntownBaltimore @DowntownBalt@CouncilmanETC#BCFDR1 reports evidence of an explosion on floor 16 with 2 workers trapped in scaffolding. #BCFDSOC on the way to rescue them. #BCFDEMS treating 2 people on the ground with burns. pic.twitter.com/vs7rNGMKCM
— Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 (@BCFDL734) December 23, 2020