Gas Blast Injures Maryland Firefighters, Five Seriously (Video)

STATter911.com
Republished with Permission, WUSA9 TV

Eight firefighters and a gas company worker were injured in an apparent natural gas explosion in Forestville, Maryland this afternoon.

Watch Now: Video of the Explosion
Download the Fireground Audio (WMV File)


Photo Courtesy WUSA TV 9 - View Full Slideshow
Video of the Aftermath
Four of the firefighters and the gas worker were taken to the Medstar Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center. Two of the firefighters have since been treated and released. Two others, including a captain seen in the white helmet in the video above, are being held overnight for observation.

According to Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady, the fire department received a call around 12:55 PM for a report of a natural gas leak. They arrived at 3426 Donnell Drive and evacuated a number of businesses at the Penn Mar Shopping Center. Brady said 45 people were ushered out of the building.

At about 1:23 PM, with the gas company on the scene, an explosion occurred, causing the destruction of about 5 store fronts. A flash fire resulted. Firefighters and the gas worker were injured by both the fire and flying debris.

The building was so heavily damaged firefighters were not able to immediately go back in and search to make sure everyone got out safely.

On the firground audio you can hear a report from the rear of the structure that fire had broken out while firefighters were venting the structure. Moments later, as command attempted to determine what was burning, the explosion occurred and maydays were called.

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WOW!We go on gas leaks all the time. Just goes to show thing can go wrong at any moment!!!!
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected
This just goes to show that anything can happen at any time. My heart goes out to all involved.
We had a 30" gas main explode here yesterday. To my knowledge no one was hurt but reports show it shot flames up to 400 feet in the air. It cooked a few cars along the street and the back hoe that was digging but that was all.

My thoughts and prayers go to everyone involved.
A friend of mine was on that call and that was his crew that got hurt. That's why I never go on calls for gas leaks without all my gear on, it is so dangerous. I hope they are going to walk away able to fully recover....craziness
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured in this explosion.

I pray that everyone got out and that those injured will be healed.
What a shame!! I hope that the guys involved in the accident are recovering for their injuries.
My respects and heart are with all the families and FFbrothers.
Sad to hear. Stay safe brothers and a wish for a speedy recovery. Maybe time to review our policies for gas leaks??????
whouaaouu..!! very impressionant..!! be carefull always.

Bruno
Hey ya i Know but the thing is the guy in the black that was walking up to that building was the driver of the Prince Georges County ladder truck he is also at my station so please keep him and the other firefighters in your prayers
Wow sounds like on the fire ground audio that they also had a engine involved in a accdient while ion route to the call. I think it was Engine 829
I saw this on the news boy what a bang my prayers go to the people that got hurt
Statter has the fireground audio. Well commanded before and after the explosion. Good luck to the injuried.

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