Edgewood Homeowner Lit Candle After Failing To Properly Disconnect Gas Range, Leading To Explosion, Fire Marshal Says

EDGEWOOD, Md. (WJZ) — An Edgewood antheral whose location was leveled successful an detonation connected Monday failed to decently disconnect a state scope and past lit a candle, yet starring to the blast, the Office of the State Fire Marshal said Wednesday.

Investigators determined the proprietor of 2506 Thornberry Drive, Delbert L. Markley Jr., 67, tried to disconnect his state scope successful anticipation of a caller 1 being delivered connected Monday. Afterward, helium lit a candle.

READ MORE: Edgewood Man Accused Of Hitting Deputy With His Car, Pinning Him Against Another Vehicle

But the state scope was not decently disconnected, and the location filled with earthy gas, the occurrence marshal’s bureau said.

“Natural state and propane are treated with a substance that has a distinctive odor that smells similar rotten eggs. If you tin odor it successful your home, spell extracurricular and telephone 911 immediately,” State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said. “Don’t fume oregon usage immoderate electrical appliances, adjacent a airy power oregon thermostat, due to the fact that immoderate spark could pb to an explosion.”

Markley was successful a rear chamber during the archetypal detonation and suffered second- and third-degree burns and different injuries, the occurrence marshal’s bureau said.

Following the explosion, Markley was capable to propulsion himself from the debris and was helped by bystanders until archetypal responders arrived, the occurrence marshal’s bureau said.

Markley’s 2 dogs were successful the location astatine the clip of the explosion. One was rescued Monday night, but the different had to beryllium euthanized Wednesday greeting owed to its injuries, the occurrence marshal’s bureau said.

READ MORE: Judge Orders Baltimore To Allow "Church Militant" Rally Featuring Far Right Speakers, City To Appeal

The detonation damaged adjacent homes.

Neighbors told WJZ they heard a large roar and felt their ain houses shake.

“I ran extracurricular and successful my backyard, you could really perceive each the debris falling, radical screaming ‘get retired the house, get retired of the house, get retired of the location now!’” said Fred Farlow, who lives a thoroughfare away.

Henry Schwartzman, who lives adjacent door, said the detonation knocked him disconnected his sofa.

He ran to get his wife.

“I spot smoke, flames and occurrence conscionable shooting up truthful we got retired close away,” helium said.

MORE NEWS: Baltimore Man Identified As Robbery Suspect Found Dead After Police Shootout

BGE officials said Monday that each of its ain instrumentality showed nary damage.

CBS Baltimore Staff