A powerful explosion levelled a residence and sent shockwaves through a neighbourhood in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday night, following an incident where a man shot a flare gun from his home. Preliminary reports indicate no serious injuries, but the fate of the suspect believed to be inside the house during the explosion remains uncertain.
Video footage posted on social media captured the house engulfed in flames, debris soaring into the night sky, and wreckage showering down on the suburb of Washington, D.C. Witnesses reported hearing and feeling the blast over a wide radius.
Arlington County police responded to the 800 block of N. Burlington Street around 4:45 p.m. ET after receiving a report of possible gunshots. The neighbourhood, known as Bluemont, witnessed the unfolding events in a leafy suburb of Washington, D.C., characterized by brick duplexes, condos, and single-family residences.
During the initial investigation, police discovered that the suspect had discharged a flare gun approximately 30 to 40 times from inside his residence, a duplex, into the surrounding neighbourhood. Authorities obtained a search warrant and attempted to make contact with the suspect through loudspeakers and phone calls.
As officers executed the warrant, several rounds, believed to be from a firearm, were heard inside the home, followed by the explosion around 8:25 p.m. The exact circumstances of the explosion are under investigation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisting in the inquiry.
While no serious injuries were reported, three officers sustained minor injuries during the incident. The suspect’s identity and condition are yet to be disclosed, and police are investigating the possibility of others being inside the duplex at the time of the explosion.
Residents in the vicinity reported hearing and feeling the explosion for miles, with one witness describing the inferno as reaching 30 to 40 feet into the air. The aftermath of the explosion prompted a heavy police presence, with several streets cordoned off, caution tape deployed, and ongoing investigations into the incident.
Virginia Rep. Don Beyer expressed gratitude to first responders and described the circumstances as “very, very scary.” The Arlington County Fire Department confirmed that the fire resulting from the explosion was under control, with crews continuing to address smaller spot fires throughout the evening.
Initial reports indicated more than 160 power outages, but this number had decreased to 19 as of Tuesday morning. The community remains on edge as investigations into the incident continue, and updates on the suspect’s status are awaited.
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