Baltimore explosion: 'Major' blast leaves multiple people trapped including children, reports say

Rescuers are still communicating with someone stuck under the rubble

A large explosion in Baltimore, Maryland, has ripped through three homes, killed one person, and left others trapped.

The Baltimore Firefighters union tweeted the report of a “major explosion with multiple people trapped”, including children, just after 10am local time.

Three people in critical condition have been rescued by firefighters, and search units are continuing to look for other patients. One person was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rescuers are communicating with one person trapped under the rubble.

Around noon, firefighters rescued a woman who had been trapped for two hours. She gave a thumbs up as she was wheeled away from the site and was transported to a local hospital where she and three other survivors are being treated for injuries.

A man was also rescued a short time later.

K9 police dog units and heavy moving equipment have been brought in to aid with the continuing rescue efforts.

The cause of the blast, in the Reisterstown Station neighbourhood, is believed to be related to gas, but the exact cause remains unknown.

Officials from the city's office of emergency management, as well as from Baltimore Gas & Electric, are on the scene.

Richard Yost, a spokesman for the company, told the Baltimore Sun that crews responding to the blast were working to shut off gas access in the area.

"Once the gas is off we can begin to safely assess the situation including inpections of BGE equipment," Mr Yost said.

On Tuesday, Red Cross members will meet with the individuals whose homes have been destroyed or whose loved ones have been injured or killed in the explosion.

Neighbours are helping the rescue effort by handing out water and food to those in need and are collecting donations for the families whose homes were lost or damaged by the explosion.

City housing inspectors are checking on properties which have sustained damage, which includes houses up to five blocks away.

Moses Glover, who lives in the neighbourhood, told the Baltimore Sun that he was in his bedroom when he heard a loud boom outside his house. When he went to his window to investigate, a second explosion knocked him to the ground.

"It knocked me across the bed," Mr Glover said. "I came downstairs and saw all of the front of the houses across the street, they were on the ground. I had a picture window downstairs, the glass is in the chair now."

According to CNN, Baltimore Mayor Bernard Young is aware of the explosion and is in a meeting with city officials about the situation.

Governor Larry Hogan offered a statement about the explosion on Twitter.

"We are closely monitoring the situation in northwest Baltimore following this morning’s horrific explosion," he wrote. "We have reached out to offer our full support to the ongoing response and recovery efforts, and are deeply grateful to the first responders on the scene."