Nail Salon Explosion In Woodlawn: Suspect Hospitalized, Police Say

WOODLAWN, MD — A man is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries due to a fire he started Monday night at a nail salon in Woodlawn that created an explosion, according to police. Local and federal authorities are investigating the blaze, which sent six other people to the hospital.

Police said the incident began when they were called to the 1700 block of Rolling Road after 9:15 p.m. on Monday for a disturbance, and they found a man who refused to leave a business.

"The individual refused commands by officers and proceeded to run into the back of the store, where he started a fire that produced an explosion," according to the Baltimore County Police Department.

At 9:37 p.m., police summoned firefighters and hazmat crews for help, officials said.

Smoke was showing from the back of the nail salon when an engine from Westview arrived and was first at the scene, authorities reported.

Although crews quickly extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading, "the blast damaged several adjacent businesses," the Baltimore County Fire Department reported.

Four police officers and two EMS personnel from the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Company were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to fire officials.

The EMS personnel were released from the hospital Monday night, authorities said.

By Tuesday morning, officials reported three officers had also been released from the hospital. Police said the officer who is still hospitalized is there for observation.

• Related: Woodlawn Explosion: 7 Hospitalized, Including 6 First Responders

Charges will be pending against the suspect, officials said. Authorities did not identify him.

The Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Fire Department are investigating the blaze. A K-9 ignitable detection team from the Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services helped process the scene, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is also assisting.