Senior Apartment Building in East Baltimore Evacuated Due to Underground Fire

A senior apartment building in East Baltimore was evacuated on Friday morning following the discovery of an underground fire. Firefighters responded to a report of a fire in the 1200 block of Greenmount Avenue, initially believed to be a grass fire.

According to Khalilah Yancey, a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Fire Department, the firefighters detected a gas odor at the scene, prompting them to request assistance from Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and activate a hazmat response. The fire was quickly extinguished.

To ensure the safety of residents, a second alarm was called, bringing additional resources to the scene, including an MTA bus for temporary shelter. The Baltimore Police, the city's transportation department, and the Office of Emergency Management also arrived to assist.

As of 8 a.m., several blocks of Greenmount Avenue were closed from Preston Street to Biddle Street while emergency crews worked on the situation. Residents were allowed back into the apartment complex by 11:30 a.m., with no reported injuries.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Reports indicate that BGE crews focused on an area near a flower bed, where a transformer or electrical panel may have ignited.

Fire crews detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide on the ground floor and in the basement, with lower levels found on upper floors. As ventilation efforts progressed, officials noted that carbon monoxide levels were decreasing, and they aimed to reduce them to safe levels before permitting residents to return.

BGE partially restored power to the building by 5 p.m., with plans for full restoration later that evening. Residents expressed concerns about the evacuation process, particularly those with disabilities who faced challenges due to the power outage.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).