5 Baltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT ‘tna Law Entorcement Report - Unauthorized Disemination i Proitited Inciont Type: Explesion / Aceon ‘Ageney ncldent 1D: 0035074 BATS ID: 1467000 Invostigation Tle: $201 Easem Ave explosion Ineldent Date/Time/Location Status Investigation Closed Start Date/Time V1S/2023 11:54 Wednesday Address 8201. Eastom Ave Gity/StateiZip County Balkimore, MD 21224 Baltimore County Investigator information Name Phone Email Albert F Jaret 410-396-5752 albortjarentabaltimorecity gov Title Captain Five Investigation Property Use or Target Information Type Subtype Manufacturing Other Occupied And OperatingBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) Cm INCIDENT REPORT (cia Lye Enforcement Report - Unauthorized Dissemination Frobibied Incident Type: Eglason/ Accel Agency indent ID: 035078 BATS ID: 1447060 Investigation Tie: 20 Faster Avecplosion ‘Seane Details Miscellaneous Information Latitude Longitude 390.203334 -16.492426Baltimore City Fire Department (MD) f INCIDENT REPORT. ‘Ofilat La Enforcement Repar- Unauherted Discminaton i Prohibited Ineldent Type: Explosion Accidental ‘Agency ieidentD: oass074 BATS 10; 1467060 Investigation Tile: $201 Ease Ave cplston Narrative(s) Title Author owe Albert crt 4103965752 albert jaret(@baltimorecity gov Description 8201 Bastern Ave Incident FHCED Incident 0035074 cep ce Location of Examination: $201 Bastern Ave Baltimore MD 21224 Date of Scone Examination: oyisams SUMMARY OF THE EVENT AUI1:38 hours on Wednesday, 03/15/2023, Baltimore County Fie Department (BCOFD) units were aested fora report of a5 stories-story Commercial Non-comusible Occupied fire at $201 Eastem Ave, BCFD (uti uber oF units) vesponded, arving on the seene at 13:00 hour, AL 12:34 hours, the Incident Commander, Baltimore County Fite Department, requested that a fire investigator be dispatched to the scene to conduct an origin and eause investigation. Captain Albert Jatt 1144, a fire investigator with the BCFD Orfice of the Fire Marshal, responded to the scene asthe lead investigator, atving at 13:00 hous, PARTICIPATING PERSONNEL, ‘The following investigtorspersonnel responded to assist Capin Albert Jaret 1144 Captain Heather Cate, BCFD Fire InvestigatorBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT (cia Yw Eofrcement Report authorized Diseninaton is Probibied Incldant Type: Explosion / Acid ‘Agency incident 1D: 0035074 BATS ID: 1467060 Investigation Te: $201 Esser Ave ceposon ‘Capiain Lany Talley, BCPD Fi Investigator Detective Phar BCPD Arson Unit Sargent Jason Giordano ‘Agent Michael Eldridge ATF Explosion Investigator ‘Agent Adam St fohn ATF Fire Investigator DC Derrick Ready BCFD Fire Marshal PROBLEM STATEMENT AND SCOPE OF WORK ‘The objective ofthe investigative efforts associated wit this report was to establish the origin and cause of the Explosion incident that occurred on 03/15/2023 at $201 Eastem Ave, Baltimore City, Maryland. This, repor Is invended to document those investigative efforts and the origin and cause analysis. Specifically ‘investigators gathered available information (data) cle tothe fire event; based on that data, investigators tempted to develop and test all reasonable theories as to where and how this fre could have stated. Once all reasonable theories were vetted against known data, a fal conclusion was then drawn, LEGAL AUTHORITY Initia authority to enter the scene was pursuaat to exigent circumstaness based upon CFDs requirement (as sot forth in the Baltimore City Fire Code, section 104) to ascertain the origin and cause fr fires to which they respond. COLLECTION OF DATA AND INFORMATION ‘The Scicmlfie Method was utilized daring the couse ofthis investigation. The 2021 ediion of the National Fire Protection Association [NFPA] 921 Guide for Fie & Explosion Investigations, page 19, section 33.167, defines the Scientific Method as “The systematic porsuit of knowledge involving the recognition and definition ofa problem: the collection of «dara through observation and experimentation; analysis ofthe data the formation, evaluation and testing of hypotheses; and, where possible, the selection ofa final hypothesis.” Specifically, investigators conducted comparison examinations of areas of less damage to areas of greater damage with an emphasis on recognition, identification, and analysis of fire patterns an ie progression, During the comparison analysis, investigators attempted 1 identify any anomalous mass loss of material dat could not be atbuted vo fas! Toad, ventilation conditions, of lak oF suppression, Areas of irregular or unusual mass loss were further examined as potential areas of fre origin. The following data and ‘information ofsiguificance were collected during the course of this investigation DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURE For the purposes ofthis report of investigation, che addressed sie ofthe structure is usually identified as the front or Side A; the side adjacent and tothe left of Side A of the srutute is identified as Side B; the rear of the stractire is identified as Sie C, und the side tothe right of Side Cof the structure is idemiied as Side Teena aie ERT A SOTO yeBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT ‘Oia Law Enforcement Report -Unsutherized Dissemination sFroiited Incident Type: Explosion Accidental ‘Ageney incident: 0035078 BATS I: 1467060 Investigation Tle: 8201 Eater Avcesploion 1D. Tnadditon, or interior area Weniification, he structure Is divided Into four quadrants. ‘The lef row quadrant is identified as Quacrant A, the feft rear quadrant as Quadrant B, the right rear quadrant as Quadant and tho righ font quadrant as Quadrant D, This same side and quadrant identification system also applies when identifying areas and objects within a specific apartment or room. Interior side and quadrant ‘dentfications are assigned in elation tothe structure, regardless of the location ofthe apartment or rom, ‘The font of the structure was designated as Side A and faced eas Continuing in a clockwise divetion, the side adjacent and to the left oF Side A was designated as Side 9 and faced south. Continuing in a clockwise wottion, the rear side ofthe structure was designated as Side C and faced west ‘The side adjacent and tthe right of Side C was designated as Side D and faced north ‘The structure refered to in ths report is an Occupied Commercial Non-combustible constuction building. ‘The exterior sides ofthe structure are finished with metal sheet panels, The roo is Flat and is covered with metal panels, ‘A sketch seeompanies this report, identifying the room locations and configuration ofthe stuctue unines The transformer supplied electrical service via service lateral tothe elecizie meter on Side D ofthe sinicture. Further examination ofthe electrical sevice revealed this structure had algal electrical hookup indleating that it was Energized at the time ofthe fre. FIRE PROTECTION AND DETECTION ‘The structure is protected by an automatic sprinkler system and_has a supervised five alarm system, FIRE SCENE EXAMINATION ‘After an assessment of the fire damage, investigators determined the fre area to be NEPA 921, 2021 edition- Chapter 3, Section 3.3.70 (page 16) define the fire area asthe boundary of ire effets within a scene in which the area of origin will be located. The fie area is characterized by ideuifying the border beeween damaged ind undamaged ares, which are distinguishable by fire eects and pateras ‘reated by flame, hea, and stoke, Exterior ofthe SirctureBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT ‘Otel Law Enforcement Report - Unauthorized Disemia Incidont Type: Exposion/ Accent) ‘Agency eldent ID: (038078 BATS 1D: 146700 Investigation Tite: $20 Easuma Ave cplaion ys Pritt Roof A Tole was observed in Quadrant A and B of the root Sie A: No significant signs or sources of ignition were observed in this area that would have contributed to ‘the ignition of this Hire. Side B: Damage fiom the explosion was observed. The Bravo side wall was bulging and the side panel ‘peeled back inthe alpha bravo comer. Side C: No significant sign or sources of ignition were observed inthis area that would have contributed to the iguation ofthis ire Side D: No signticant signs or sources of inition were observed in this area that would have contributed to the ignition ofthis Gre Interior of the Structre Level ‘A Quadrant: This aca is located in the Alpha heave side ofthe structure, The tems observed inthis area is consistent with the operation and funetion ofa pellet dryer plant. In this area Dryer 1, 2, and 3 are located. ‘Alter examination ofthis area fire darnage was found between dryer 1 and 2 that extends abave the third ter ofthis rea. Further examination revealed the following: Ter [No damage was found on dryer 3 and excluded for being the source of the explosion. Inthe area of Dryer 1 and 2 extinguishers were found indicating the employees were tying o extinguish he fite prior to the Fe ‘department being notified. Between dryer | (northside) and dryer 2 (southside) Fie pattems were found on tht metal siding. Tier2 Examination of Tier 2 thermal oi was found covering the Noor and railing. Further examination of dryer 2 revealed severe oxidation that was formed under the panels ofthe equipment. Further examination shows ‘multiple hatches tat were damaged. Some ofthe hatches were partially separated and others were completely separated. After observation a separated hatch vas found about 15 fee fom the dryer indeatingsizns of a high pressure event inside of dryer 2. Examination of dryer 1 revealed signs of fie damage Tier 'B Quadrant: was located inthe structure. No signs or souress of ignition were observed inthis area that ‘would have contsbuted to the ignition ofthis ire, therefore, this area was eliminated as boing involved i the cause ofthe Fite, In this area it shows signs of poor housekeeping ‘al aaBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT Oca Law Eaarcement Kept - Unauthorized Disemination is Probibited Incldent Type: Explsin Acide Agency neldent 1: 0035174 BATS I: 1467060 Investigation Tite; $201 Emsam Ave expen ‘© Quadant: No signs or sources of ignition were observed i this ares that would have contributed to he ignition ofthis fir, therefore this area was cminated as being involved inthe cause ofthe fie Quadrant: No signs or sourees of ignition were obseeved in this area that would have contributed tothe ignition ofthis fre, therefore this area was eliminated as being involved in the eause ofthe fire. In this area the gas was located and undamaged. ESTIMATED VALUE OF Loss. ated at $10,000,000.00 ‘The Fire toate damage to the streture of origin and its contents is ‘The fie coated damage to other structures ox property is estimated at $10,000,000,00 °*Consult with @ professional adjuster to obtain an aceurate value forthe total amount of fie foss.** WEATHER DATA {At 12:34 hours on 03/15/2023, the following weather data was reported to HWE Aizpor, Limicum, Marylin, ‘Temperature: 45 °F degrees F Humidity: 25 % percent humidity id WNW mph Conilions: Fair (Source: Weather Underground — wiyw.swunderground. combistory/) ‘The weather conditions did net contribute tothe ignition or spread of this ie ANALYSIS OF DATA AND INFORMATION ‘Area of Origin FacileBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT. (oficiat Law Enforcement Report -Ussuthorzed Disemioat Incident Type: Explosion Accident ‘Agency Incident ID: 0035074 BATS ID: 1467060 Investigation Tite: $201 Essar Ave explosion Probes Examinations were conducted ofthe fre scene focused on identifying the area (or areas) of the fies ‘origin, In par, these examinations included efforts to locate, identify nd analyze fire and heat-rcated Pattern, the consumption of or degradation of combustibifignitable materils, and ventilation availability (and effects), ‘Asa result of these efforts, sufficient evidence or information was revealed that idemified the area of origin. The explosion was determined to have originated interior of the structure. ‘The compartmeat of origin was identified asthe Alpha quadrant. The area of origin was deiernined to be dryer 2, Specifically, 3d tier dyer 2 FIRE DAMAGE: ‘An examination of the area revealed evidence of fire and heat-related energy, The fire and heat-related damages observed within the area were consistent with significant heat energy generated from the explosion, heat transfer and the consumption of the eornbustble materials, These combustible materials were determined to be thermal el, The fire was secondary o the explosion that occurred AVAILABLE FUELS: During the on-site examination, efforts were conducted to identify available fuels within the area of ‘origin. When identified, aitional efforts focused on the Fuels’ composition, density and their thermal inertia properties (rates) of surface temperature inerease when exposed to eat energy) Additional efforts and analysis were conducted involving the fuel(s) including the distance and direetional relationship for comparisons io any availabe ignition sources identified. These efforts provided additional evidence and information that rested inthe elimination of some of the available Gels as the frst fuel ignited. FIRST FUEL, ‘Based on the most probable fgnition source and sequence, the fis fuel ignited would've been Dust inside of dryer CONCLUSION This Investigato's opinions and conclusions contained in this report have been determined to & reasonable degree of certainty within the fice investigation profession, Each is based on the examinations conducted, the evidence and information known as ofthe production of this report, nd the analysis ofthe same. Any new or discovered evidence ar information may require the conclusions and opinions tobe re-evaluated, ‘Basel on the fire scene examination and information ata presently avaiable to the investigators i is concluded thatthe area of origin is identified as dryer 2. ‘The most probable ignition sequence of his fire was determined to be eased by a spark hat oseurted afer Staring the dryer that ignite the dust causing an explosion which ignited the thermal of ‘Afleran analysis of available data and information, an examination ofthe thermal damage to the structure andBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT (Ota Lam Kaorcement Report - Unauthorized Dissemination i Probie Incldent Type: Esplin Acid ‘Ageney mncdontD: 035074 BATS ID: 167040 Investigation Title: $201 Eater Aveeaposion ‘This section intentionally left blank Sees Captain Fire Investigation Jarret, Albert Date Deputy Chie? Ready, Derrick DateBaltimore City Fire Department (MD) INCIDENT REPORT. (ofiat Law Efrcement Report - Unauthorized Diseminaron i Prohibited Incident Type: Eeloson Aecisona ‘Agency inchdent 1D: 0035074 BATS ID: 1467060 Investigation Tite: £201 Esc Ave explosion Tis conten, and a review of witness statements, te opinion oF as accidental in nature Cassi jon ofthe Cause (optional pick one) Accidental Fire Cause Classification ‘Accidental fires involv all those for whieh the proven cause does not involve an intentional luman act to Jgnite or spread fire into an area where the fte should not be. When the intent of the person's action cannot be determined or proven to an acceptable level of certainty, the correct elasification is undetermined. In most ‘cases, thi classification will be clear, but some deliberately ignited ies can sil be accidental. For example ‘nv legal setting, a trash Five might be sprad by a sudden gust of wind, The spread of fire was accidental even though the initial fre was deliberate ‘This concludes the investigato”’ action. All events occurred in Baltimore County