Baltimore Explosion: Morgan State Student Joseph Graham Identified As Man Killed In Blast
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Morgan State University rising sophomore was among those killed in a natural gas explosion in northwest Baltimore Monday morning.
MSU officials identified Joseph Graham as the man killed from the blast along Labyrinth Road at Reisterstown Road just before 10 a.m.
Graham, 20, was a rising sophomore pursing an electrical engineering degree from the from the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering. He was a graduate from City College.
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"It is with a heavy heart that we regretfully share the unfortunate news of the untimely passing of a valued member of our Morgan family," the statement said. "As a community we mourn the tragic loss of life as a result of this calamitous event and offer our deepest sympathies to the Graham family. We ask that you keep them and their extended family and friends in prayer."
Joseph Graham's mom loved this photo of him...the one where he's wearing the red hoodie.
— Avajoye Burnett (@AvajoyeWJZ) August 12, 2020
His family told us he was ambitious, kind and smart.
He had a big close knit family. They are now consoling each other after he died in the gas explosion. @wjz pic.twitter.com/O4XYBSkufL
One woman told WJZ a man kept returning to the scene all day Monday, waiting for them to find his nephew.
"They knew for a fact that his nephew was there, and I told him, 'Oh my. Gosh, I am praying for you,'" the woman told WJZ.
Baltimore fire officials released the identity of the the second victim Wednesday: 61-year-old Lonnie Herroitt.
Seven others were injured including a 34-year-old man who's in critical condition. A 20-year-old man and a 65-year-old man remain hospitalized in stable condition. While a 27-year-old woman, a 37-year-old woman, a 64-year-old man and a 93-year-old man were all discharged from the hospital.
The news of the two confirmed deaths sent shock waves through the neighborhood.
BGE crews were back on the scene Tuesday. The company said no leaks were found when they inspected the gas main and service pipes -- and added they found no issues on their side of the equipment.
"As of right now, it appears the issue is on the customer side of the meter," said Linda Foy of BGE. "That data is being analyzed right now."
Tuesday, members of a local church offered support to the community. They said they want to help cover funeral costs.
"When you have this type of tragedy, that's the last thing you want to think about," said Junetta Barnes of Empowerment Temple.
One day after the explosion, pieces of people's lives remain scattered across the ground.
"It looked as if a bomb just fell out of the sky," a neighbor told WJZ.
"It will never be the same again. I just know it won't," said Burroughs.
BGE said they're now beginning to restore service to customers along Labyrinth Road that had service temporarily suspended.
The Empowerment Temple is planning on holding a prayer service for family members and those affected from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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