DPW Working to Restore Water After Steam Explosion in Downtown Baltimore

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

This evening, while BGE crews worked to install a gas line in the 400 Block of W. Pratt Street, a water main line was struck, causing an immense amount of water to spill into the street. Once DPW was notified and while waiting for their arrival, a steam explosion occurred, causing gravel and pieces of the roadway to explode. Four people were injured; three people were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries; and one refused treatment.

Water services are interrupted at the Marriott Inner Harbor and Hilton Baltimore.

The following roads will be closed until further notice:

  •      Pratt Street between Greene and Howard Street 
  •      Eutaw Street between Pratt and Lombard Street

Detour in place: 

  •      Martin Luther King Boulevard as the primary detour
  •      Paca will remain open for Northbound Traffic 

 

 

Related Stories

DPW to Start Trash and Recycling Collections at 5:00 a.m. During Summer Months Earlier Start Time Aims to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat –Seasonal Change Begins Tuesday, July 8

To protect sanitation workers from the dangers of extreme summer heat, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin trash and recycling collections one hour earlier—starting at 5:00 a.m.—beginning Tuesday, July 8. This seasonal adjustment will run through Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

DPW Offices and Sanitation Yards Closed for Independence Day

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Friday, July 4, 2025, is Independence Day, a City holiday. As a result, all DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED in observance of the holiday. There will be no trash or recycling collections on Friday, July 4. Collections will resume on the makeup day, Saturday, July 5, 2025. Additionally, there will be no street sweeping due to the holiday closure.

DPW Releases 2024 Water Quality Report

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) today announced the release of its 2024 Water Quality Report, providing residents in Baltimore City and Baltimore County with important information about the quality of their drinking water.