Explosion in Arlington, Virginia Duplex Follows Flare Gun Incident; Investigation Underway

An explosion devastated a duplex in the Bluemont neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., on Monday night. This incident followed reports of a suspect firing a flare gun multiple times in the area earlier in the day. The Arlington County Police Department is actively investigating the series of events.

The police first responded to the scene around 4:45 p.m. after receiving reports of shots fired. According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect discharged a flare gun approximately 30 to 40 times from inside his home. However, there were no immediate reports of property damage or injuries from this incident.

Police efforts to engage with the suspect included obtaining a search warrant for the home and attempting communication through phone calls and loudspeakers. Despite these efforts, the suspect remained unresponsive inside the house. Later, as officers attempted to execute the search warrant, the suspect is believed to have fired several rounds from a firearm within the home.

Around 8:30 p.m., a significant explosion occurred at the suspect’s residence, sending flames and debris into the air. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, with no conclusive details available at this time. Ashley Savage, a spokesperson for the Arlington County Police, indicated that while there is no evidence of other individuals being in the duplex, the possibility cannot be entirely dismissed.

The explosion caused minor injuries to three officers, but none required hospitalization. The Arlington County Fire Department controlled the fire by approximately 10:30 p.m., though small spot fires persisted.

Residents in the vicinity reported the impact of the explosion. Carla Rodriguez, from South Arlington, noted that the explosion was audible over two miles away. Another local, Bob Maynes, described the explosion as a powerful shock that made him think a tree had fallen on his house.

The Arlington Fire Department, still uncertain about the explosion’s cause, is investigating alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal agents and fire investigators are assisting with the probe into this startling incident.