A massive gas explosion killed one person and injured at least seven others as it ripped through the Reisterstown Station neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland yesterday. While officials did not release the ages of those rescued from the rubble, neighbors told the Baltimore Sun they heard children calling for help,  and one man and woman were pulled from the debris after about two hours of effort. The blast destroyed three two-story row houses and blew out windows, ripped doors from hinges, and, a city councilman told the Sun, lodged bricks deep into car doors across the street. The explosion destroyed the home of Major Watkins Jr., 88, and Caroline Youngblood, 90. Watkins, a U.S. Army artillery veteran, told the Sun the blast “sounded like Korea.”

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. released a statement Monday saying it would investigate company equipment in the area once the fire rescue was over. Gas leaks are so frequent that nearly two dozen of them are discovered each day, on average, according to data BGE reports to federal authorities.” The investigation “could take months, if not longer,” Jason Stanek, chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission told the Sun, but a fire department spokesperson confirmed the blast was “a major gas explosion.” (Baltimore Sun, WBAL, CBS13-WJZ, Washington Post $, New York Times $, CNN; Investigation: Baltimore Sun)