Cause sought of explosion that leveled an Arlington, Virginia, home as police tried to serve warrant

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Investigation Ongoing in Arlington, Virginia Home Explosion During Warrant Service

Arlington County, Virginia, was rattled by a devastating explosion that obliterated a duplex and created chaos in a Washington, D.C. suburb. Prior to this cataclysmic event, law enforcement officers responded to a series of unsettling incidents involving a suspect within the home.

According to officials, the turmoil began when the suspect discharged a flare gun approximately 30 to 40 times into the surrounding neighborhood, prompting a significant police presence. Fortunately, no serious injuries or property damage resulted from these flare gun discharges. Officers were initially summoned to the scene at around 4:45 p.m. in response to reports of shots fired from the suspect’s residence.

As the situation unfolded, law enforcement officers secured a search warrant for the suspect’s home. They made multiple attempts to establish contact with the individual through telephone calls and loudspeakers, but the suspect remained unresponsive and inside the premises.

Efforts to execute the search warrant took a dramatic turn when the suspect reportedly discharged multiple rounds from what is believed to be a firearm within the residence. This escalation led to a catastrophic explosion around 8:30 p.m., causing flames and debris to erupt into the night sky. An ongoing investigation is being conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding this explosion.

Arlington County police spokesperson Ashley Savage stated that there is currently no evidence indicating the presence of others within the duplex. However, authorities cannot definitively rule out the possibility of additional individuals being involved.

The Arlington County Fire Department managed to control the blaze by approximately 10:30 p.m. Nevertheless, crews continued to address isolated spot fires in the aftermath of the explosion. Three officers sustained minor injuries, but none required hospitalization.

Witnesses described the explosion as a seismic event, with Carla Rodriguez, a South Arlington resident, hearing it from over 2 miles away. Bob Maynes, another local resident, likened the experience to a significant tremor, leaving his entire house trembling.

Arlington, situated across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital, witnessed this catastrophic event in the Bluemont neighborhood, where numerous homes are duplexes.

The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, as stated by Capt. Nate Hiner, a spokesperson for the Arlington Fire Department. Federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are actively involved in the investigation to determine the root cause of this tragic incident.

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More about Arlington home explosion investigation

• Arlington County Police Department
• Arlington County Fire Department
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Washington Post Coverage
• NBC News Article