An underground fire and strong gas odor sent residents streaming out of a seven-story senior apartment building in East Baltimore on Friday morning, after a two-alarm blaze triggered a full evacuation at the Johnston Square Apartments. Fire officials said residents were moved out as a precaution, and no injuries have been reported.
Crews from the Baltimore City Fire Department were called to reports of a gas fire outside the building and found an underground blaze along with a pronounced smell of gas, according to WBAL NewsRadio. Firefighters detected elevated carbon monoxide levels inside both common areas and individual units and brought in Baltimore Gas & Electric to help secure the scene and track down the underground source.
Underground and manhole fires have previously knocked out power and forced evacuations downtown, showing how quickly subsurface utility problems can ripple through nearby buildings and services. A recent downtown manhole fire led to a major power outage and disrupted court and city operations, a reminder of why city crews treat these calls with extra caution and keep utility partners close.
What Crews Found And How They Responded
Inside Johnston Square, firefighters reported the smell of gas and elevated carbon monoxide readings as they swept through the building. Residents were ushered out of the seven-story structure while crews ventilated hallways and apartments and continued checking units. BGE personnel were asked to inspect and isolate the underground problem before anyone could be cleared to return, as detailed by WBAL NewsRadio.
Carbon Monoxide Risks For Older Adults
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause flu-like symptoms and become life-threatening, and older adults are among the groups most vulnerable to serious harm, according to the CDC. The agency advises anyone in an affected building to get into fresh air and seek medical care if they notice symptoms, and it recommends working carbon monoxide alarms in homes and multifamily buildings.
The Baltimore City Fire Department has said the scene is secure and that no injuries have been reported, although investigators and utility crews remain on site while the underground issue is addressed. This article will be updated if the fire department, BGE, or the property manager release additional information.
