Survivor Recounts Moments Before Howard Co. Explosion

HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)—Cleanup is underway as authorities work to get to the bottom of what caused a gas leak and explosion in Howard County.

WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren has more.

The flames have long been extinguished but questions remain after the blast in Columbia that caused $2-million in damage.

Hellgren: "How confident are you that the resources brought to bear that this investigation will get to the bottom of what happened?"

"We'll definitely make sure we get to the bottom of what happened here. We have good folks who are investigating. We're working with BGE, we'll make sure we know what happened, we'll make sure we do whatever we can, so it doesn't happen in the future" said Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.

Fire investigators tell WJZ the gas assembly to the home was damaged and a BGE technician found high levels of gas in the garage.

The next door neighbor called BGE after smelling strong gas odors. Once her guest got to her home for Yom Kippur they also smelled gas, one of them, Luke Kaiser shared his survival story.

"Very shortly after we got there the BGE representative showed yup, went in, and very quickly came back outside and yelled over for us to evacuate," said Lew Kaiser. "Just as we got on the front lawn the house next door exploded."

Kaiser says the explosion sounded like dynamite went off.

"I don't think I've seen anything like that before and clearly I think what's so amazing is that this gentleman that works for BGE really is a hero," Kittleman said.

BGE has checked gas lines throughout the area and is working with fire investigators in this shaken community.

Officials insist the area is safe and if people have any concerns they are welcomed to contact BGE.

The blast injured two people, including the BGE worker who has since been released from the hospital.