Explosion reported at Arlington, Va. home after suspect fires flare gun

An explosion was reported at a home in Arlington, Va. on Monday night after a suspect fired a flare gun from the residence, according to local police. 

Police attempted to serve a search warrant on Monday afternoon when the suspect fired a flare gun from the home, causing an explosion and subsequent fire at the home, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

DCNewsNow, which is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill, reported neighbors of the suspect called 911 around 4:45 p.m. after the man discharged his flare gun.

A tactical team then tried to execute a search warrant at the suspect’s home and the explosion occurred around 8 p.m., DCNewsNow reported, citing Arlington County Police Department. Neighbors were evacuated and will be permitted back into their homes when its safe to do so, per DCNewsNow.

Arlington police first alerted residents of the incident shortly after 8:15 p.m., asking members of the public to avoid the area while police investigate at the scene. Arlington Fire Department said it was working to extinguish the fire. 

Officers on the scene reported minor injuries, though no one was transported to the hospital, Arlington County said.

A large “boom” noise could be heard in the area shortly after 8:20 p.m. and power was knocked out in the immediate area, per The AP. Videos circulating on social media of the purported explosion showed flames shooting from the home. 

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R)’s press secretary said the governor is “closely monitoring” the incident.

“While we continue to gather details, the secretary of public safety is ready to assist state and local enforcement,” Macaulay Porter, Youngkin’s press secretary said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Hill reached out to Arlington county police for further comment.

Updated at 10:46 pm.