Explosion rocks home as suspect fires flare as police attempt search of property

05 December 2023 , 04:36

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Explosion rocks home as suspect fires flare as police attempt search of property

A massive explosion has occurred in Arlington, Virginia, after a suspect reportedly fired a flare gun at police searching a home.

The police were trying to carry out a search warrant when the suspect reportedly let off the flare inside the house, causing a blast. Emergency services rushed to the scene on N. Burlington Street just after 8:15 p.m., with Arlington Fire and EMS working hard to control the fire. Locals were warned to expect a large response from the fire department and police, and were advised to steer clear of the area while investigations continued.

Social media users reported hearing the loud explosion around 8:30pm. Police later confirmed that the blast occurred as officers were entering the house, with the suspect discharging several rounds inside before the explosion. A local resident told WTOP that she saw police and other armed officials surrounding the suspect's house, attempting to coax him out.

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Police vehicles are seen on the street moments before the blast (@bennyjohnson/X)

A huge fireball exploded at the Virginia property (@bennyjohnson/X)

"And they're talking to him. And then next thing you know, the house blows up. It's a duplex and it's collapsed the entire side and I don't know about the other side of the duplex. I'm just hoping that people next door got out. And they're (officials) now chasing us off the street with all the fire trucks and everything because we have [natural] gas in the neighbourhood," she said.

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Others said they heard buildings shake, with Mark Raymond saying on X (formerly Twitter): "Heard a loud explosion and felt my building shake in Arlington and I can see this from my balcony." He shared an image of a huge fireball at a building in a distance, with thick smoke rising into the air.

Social media users reported hearing the loud explosion around 8:30pm (@bennyjohnson/X)

The fireball engulfed the building (@bennyjohnson/X)

Footage from the scene shows several police cars in the street before a huge fireball engulfs the house, sending debris flying into the air. Another witness also reported their home shaking and shared footage of thick, black smoke clouds rising from the blast site.

Charles R Downs said: "Plumes of smoke following an explosion in Arlington, Virginia. The blast shook my home. The explosion happened as police were serving a warrant. Police have yet to say if a suspect is in custody."

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Abigail O'Leary