UPDATE 2: The NTSB has released its preliminary report here.

UPDATE: The victims have been identified 73-year-old Ray Corkran Jr., the homeowner, and 35-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Alvarado, the contracted BGE utility employee.

Original story below…

BEL AIR, MD—The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are continuing their investigation into a house explosion in Bel Air that claimed the lives of a 35-year-old BGE contractor and the homeowner.

At around 6:40 a.m. on Sunday, August 11, Abingdon Fire Company initially responded to 2300 Arthur Woods Drive for a reported outside gas leak. As firefighters responded, Harford County 911 began receiving multiple calls that the same house had exploded. Firefighters arrived and confirmed that the house had exploded and damaged several others, causing injury to the next-door neighbor.

As investigators arrived, it was reported that the involved home was for sale and that one person may have still been inside at the time of the explosion. Firefighters and emergency personnel worked throughout the day, searching for anyone who may have been inside the home. With the assistance of heavy machinery, investigators located a victim within the debris. While the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will officially identify the victim, investigators believe the victim is the 73-year-old owner.

Investigators will continue to work with BGE to determine the origin and cause. However, there is no evidence of criminal activity, and they will continue to focus on all accidental causes.

Twelve families were displaced, and the Harford County government has directed those who sustained damage or any other pertinent information to file an online request for service here. They may also call the Harford County Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits at 410-638-3122.

While they continue to collect information on exact damages, the cost is expected to be in the millions.

Photo via Harford County Fire & EMS PIO Media