UPDATE: The driver has turned himself in.

Original story below…

BEL AIR, MD—Two pets have died in a house fire that began after a vehicle struck a home in Bel Air on Wednesday night, authorities say.

At around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, emergency personnel responded to a home in the 1700-block of Woodhome Drive after a neighbor called 9-1-1 and reported that a vehicle had crashed into the home.

The driver fled the scene. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office was later able to identify the driver; however, at the time of the crash, authorities could not locate him.

The owner of the home was not present at the time of the accident. One dog died at the scene, while another was rescued by firefighters and was treated at the scene. The second dog later succumbed to its injuries.

Several homes were temporarily evacuated due to a gas leak caused by the crash. BGE crews later isolated the leak, and the residents were able to return to their homes.

It took 35 firefighters about 30 minutes to control the blaze. Damages have been estimated at approximately $650,000, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

No other injuries were reported. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate.

Photos via Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal