10-Year-Old Boy Injured In Deadly House Fire Speaks Out
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Baltimore family is demanding answers more than 48 hours after an explosive house fire kills an 8-year-old boy and injures three other people.
Monique Griego has the latest on the investigation.
One of those injured was a 10-year-old boy. He told WJZ how a split-second decision may have kept him from being crushed under the rubble.
BGE crews are still working to find out what happened.
A painstaking investigation by BGE crews--more than 48 hours of constant digging and drilling--as they try to figure out what caused an East Baltimore rowhome to turn into a deadly firebomb.
Wednesday afternoon, the powerful blast triggered a building collapse that killed 8-year-old Troy Douglas, killing him.
"Troy was only walking inches away from my brother, and had they been walking together, it would have been him," the surviving victim's sister, Mikita Young, said.
Just like Troy, 10-year-old Justin Worthington was walking home from school on Jefferson Street when he heard the building start to crack. What he did next saved his life.
"I started crossing the street. Next thing I know, I'm just in the middle of the street and I get up. The whole side of the house was gone," Justin Worthington said.
Worthington suffered a broken arm and injuries to his head and legs. While grateful he's alive, his mother can't help but think about Troy's family.
"A child lost his life and nobody knows why. That's terrible," Justin's mom, Cynthia Edwards, said.
Both BGE and the fire department declined to comment on camera. But the utility did tell WJZ this is a very intense investigation and they are trying to be as thorough as possible. Most of the work they're doing is underground.
"It's unthinkable. Nobody can imagine their children walking home from school and just getting blown up," Young said.
Neighbors tell WJZ they smelled gas before the fire broke out--something investigators have yet to confirm.
With no cause or explanation, Worthington fears it could happen again.
"When I go back to school, I'm going to be scared," Justin Worthington said.
It's another reason his family and community want answers.
"A little boy lost his life. Two people are severely burned in the hospital. Somebody has to be accountable to this," Young said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Fire investigators did visit with both the families of Troy Douglas and Justin Worthington this week.
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