Gas leak causes explosion, fire in Calverton-Beltsville; one seriously injured

A gas leak at the intersection of Powder Mill Road and Cherry Hill Road in the Calverton-Beltsville area exploded around 10:15 p.m. Friday, injuring one person and forcing closures on Cherry Hill Road at the Prince George’s–Montgomery county line, officials said. Prince George’s County Fire/EMS posted that crews were on scene and that the incident included downed power lines and mutual aid from Montgomery County Fire/Rescue.

Prince George’s County Fire/EMS posted on X: “Gas leak, approx 10:15pm Powder Mill Rd & Cherry Hill Rd in Calverton. PGFD units on scene of gas leak & explosion with downed power lines. Crews operating on scene. 1 patient transported w/serious but not life threatening injuries. @mcfrs w/mutual aid.” Video and images from the department circulated on social platforms showing flames and heavy smoke at the intersection.

Television crews and on-site cameras captured electrical lines burning after the blast, and multiple outlets reported crews working to secure energized lines. WJLA reported that “cameras caught some electrical lines on fire,” while other responders described downed power lines as a primary hazard that kept emergency crews and utility crews from immediately reopening the area to traffic.

Emergency response included Prince George’s County Fire/EMS and Montgomery County mutual aid; Montgomery County police also assisted and issued a traffic advisory. NBC4 detailed the local closure, reporting that “Cherry Hill Road is closed at the Prince George's-Montgomery county line, just south of FDA Boulevard,” and warned that “major delays should be expected.” Residents driving between Beltsville and the FDA campus should expect detours and extended commute times while Washington Gas and Pepco address utilities.

One patient was taken to a local hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries, officials said. “One person was transported to a local hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries, officials said,” WTOP reported, while WJLA added officials said the person suffered “serious but not life‑threatening burns and other injuries.” Authorities have not released the patient’s name or further condition updates.

Accounts differ on the immediate status of the fire and onwhat triggered the eruption. WTOP quoted a Prince George’s Fire representative saying Washington Gas was working on a gas leak when it exploded. WJLA separately reported crews had been repairing a water main earlier in the day and that “at around 10 a.m., one worker somehow struck and damaged a nearby pipeline,” but noted that “officials have not confirmed what caused the gas to erupt.” An unnamed report also indicated the fire was extinguished and that Washington Gas and Pepco were addressing utilities; other outlets described the blaze as still burning as crews operated on scene.

Motorists are advised to avoid Powder Mill Road and Cherry Hill Road near the county line and to anticipate significant traffic impacts; Montgomery County police said a traffic advisory remains in effect while utility and fire personnel secure the scene. Prince George’s County Fire/EMS footage of the incident is available on the department’s X account.