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According to officials, an office and shopping center were partially destroyed during an explosion that was allegedly caused by a gas leak in Columbia, Maryland, early Sunday morning.
The blast occurred around 8:00 am Eastern time, just 30 minutes after first responders received a call for a possible gas leak, according to the Howard County Fire and Emergency Services. .
The blast seemed to occur in a building housing a social security office and dental office, according to NBC Washington. The businesses are located in the middle of a popular shopping district.
The explosion also caused a blackout in the area, causing the loss of electricity from several businesses located nearby.
The blast was so powerful that it could be heard "in communities several miles away," said Calvin Ball, Howard County leader, in a statement. Ball thanked the firefighters on the scene for the way they handled the situation.
"In response to multiple whistling reports from a wide crack in the parking lot of the building, they quickly assessed the situation, made sure that the buildings were not occupied and that the evacuations are not needed, and have landscaped a perimeter, "Ball said.
No one was injured in the blast, according to Ball.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company said in a statement that a member of the team was on site and that he was working with the fire department during the blast.
"The BGE teams have stopped the gas service and are currently working closely with the fire department," the electricity company said on Twitter. "Once this is safe, BGE will investigate the cause of the incident."
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