In a recent government meeting, city officials addressed a troubling pattern of underground fires, particularly focusing on the ten incidents reported over the past year, with three occurring in 2023 alone. The most recent fire took place on Charles Street, raising significant safety concerns for local residents and businesses.

City leaders emphasized the urgency of understanding the underlying causes of these fires and developing strategies to prevent future occurrences. The meeting included representatives from various agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Baltimore City Fire Department, and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E), all of whom are critical to addressing the issue.

Chief Wallace of the Baltimore City Fire Department provided an overview of the latest incident, which involved a fire alarm activation at a Verizon building. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered smoke emanating from a nearby manhole, prompting a full response due to the severity of the situation. However, firefighting efforts were delayed until BG&E could disconnect power to the area, highlighting the complexities involved in managing such emergencies.

Officials noted that some businesses in the vicinity were temporarily ordered to cease operations due to nonfunctional fire safety systems, underscoring the broader implications of these fires on local commerce and public safety. The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among city agencies and utility companies to enhance infrastructure maintenance and prevent further incidents.