March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

Multiple Explosions In Anne Arundel County

NOTE: To share this with your followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook, please use “tweet” and “like” icons to the left.

UPDATE 9:07 am 01/07/2011: All seems quiet today. The package at the USNA appears to have been unfounded per Greater Annapolis Patch. Overnight, there were two suspicious boxes at I-95 and Route 100 that were also unfounded. The two packages in Baltimore were similarly unfounded. The one at Dulles was also unfounded, So, what it looks like is two packages sent by a disgruntled individual (presumably it is an individual) who is not happy with the overhead signs to reports suspicious activity. The packages were addresses to the Governor and to the Secretary of Transportation–appropriately enough considering the basis of the disgruntlement.

There were no explosives found in either package, but when opened, they did emit a sulfur smell and a brief flare up of flame. The mail room clerk in Annapolis refused treatment and the woman in Hanover did transport to the hospital to be checked out. The Governor spoke to or left messages for both employees. The injuries appear to be similar to those one might get if you  holding a match too long or trying to light a candle.

Hopefully, this is the end of it. But, as Governor O’Malley said, we need to be vigilant. While this still appears to be a minor event, it could have proved to have played out very differently.

UPDATE 11:26 pm: A source says that the note was in response to the electronic signs on the highways asking people to report suspicious activity. The note is reported to have said “you have now created a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

UPDATE 11:15 pm: A package deemed “suspicious” has been discovered at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis (USNA). Reports are vague and do not indicate if it is or is not related to the two other incidents today in Hanover and Annapolis. Our report has also been confirmed by WBALTV-11 which adds that it was discovered in a mail room in an unoccupied part of campus so no evacuations are required.

UPDATE 9:55 pm: The Associated Press is reporting that a source close to the investigation has said that the package in Annapolis came with a note from a “disgruntled person”.

UPDATE 5:22 pm: According to Major Greg Shipley of the Maryland State Police, it appears that the two packages are connected and the third package in Baltimore is being investigated. William Barnard, State Fire Marshall commented that the packages are believed to have been sent via the US Postal Service. He said that the DOT building should be open tomorrow.

UPDATE 5:08 pm: Anne Arundel Fire Department has released control  of the Hanover scene back to the DOT and all units are clearing.

UPDATE 4:41 pm: Decent video from MSNBC

UPDATE 4:21 pm: ABC 2 News reports that US Postal Service confirming a third suspicious package in Baltimore at 201 Preston Street.

UPDATE 3:58 pm: Anne Arundel County Fire Department confirms they treated 8 patients and four were transported to Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

UPDATE 3:42 pm: According to The Baltimore Sun, the Annapolis package was addressed to Governor O’Malley who left town to go to Cambridge.

UPDATE 3:33 pm: Anne Arundel County Fire Command has released all but a handful of units from the Hanover incident.

UPDATE 2:55 pm: We just spoke with an employee of the DOT in Hanover and learned that there was a packaged addressed to Secretary of Transportation, Beverley Swaim-Staley, which was opened at 12:40pm on the 4th floor. The package emitted a vapor smelling of sulfur with the appearance of dry ice.

The building was evacuated. Employees were required to stay on the scene unless they were transported for medical evaluation. At 2:00 pm, employees other than the 4th floor employees were allowed to leave.

Some vehicles parked in the “hot” or “warm” zones had to remain and alternate means of transportation were arranged.

It is unknown if the building will re-open tomorrow.

UPDATE 2:25 pm: Fire crews from Baltimore City and County have been called in to staff Anne Arundel stations that are on the scene at MDOT Headquarters. Looks like this will be a long event.

UPDATE 2:02 pm: Per Joshua Stewart, there are conflicting reports of the Annapolis injury.

UPDATE 1:54 pm: Per Capital reporter Joshua Stewart via Twitter, one hurt in Annapolis explosion. Per radio traffic, 6 being treated in Hanover.

UPDATE 1:38 pm: Strange coincidence or more. Annapolis City Fire Dept is on the scene of an explosion at a State leased office building on Francis Street. Two explosions within 20 minutes of one another in two State office buildings.  There is one injury in Annapolis and 6 injured in Hanover.

UPDATE 1:23 pm: Fire department has confirmed there was an explosion, Five patients are injured and two additional Medic Units have been dispatched.

UPDATE: Currently, EMS is treating 5 subjects.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department has been dispatched to the Maryland Department of Transportation offices at 7201 Corporate Drive for a possible hazardous materials incident.

Initial reports indicate there may have been some sort of chemical explosion on the fourth floor of the facility and there are reports of multiple  patients who have been sickened.  Developing.

7201 Corporate Drive

Previous Article

Baysox Bring Smiles To 20 Families

Next Article

Dogwood Acres Donates Over 400 Pounds Of Food

You might be interested in …