Underground fire near Johnston Square apartments leads to evacuations

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Baltimore City fire crews responded to an underground fire on Friday at an apartment building located in the Johnston Square neighborhood.

On July 24 around 7:00 a.m., crews were dispatched to reports of an outside grass fire in the 1200 block of Greenmount Avenue.

Once on the scene, firefighters discovered an underground fire that was accompanied by a strong odor of gas. officials reported.

The gas odor prompted a request for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) to respond to the scene and led officials to declare the fire a second alarm to bring in additional resources.

The incident was quickly brought under control, authorities said.

Some residents at the apartment building were evacuated while other residents were sheltered in place.

The Office of Emergency Management, Baltimore Police, and the Red Cross also responded to the scene to support operations.

Three individuals were evaluated by medical staff, but officials said they did not require transport.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to authorities.