State of Emergency Declared In Baltimore As Multiple Fires Spread In A Four Block Radius

Firefighters are trying to control four fires within a four block area after chaos, looting, vandalism and destruction of property was reported shortly after the Freddie Gray funeral earlier in the day.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 27, 2015

Baltimore, Maryland - On Monday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) declared a State of Emergency in Baltimore, shortly after Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake declared a State of Emergency for the city and set a curfew beginning on Tuesday from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Governor Hogan confirmed that at least 4,000 guardsman have been activated and placed on standby, 80 state troopers have joined Baltimore police after looters, vandals, thugs and gangs engaged in destructive chaos after the Freddie Gray funeral earlier today. 

A CVS drug store was looted and then set on fire. A Check Cashing Place was broken into and looted as well and a corner store near the North and Pennsylvania Avenues.

Firefighters later at night were trying to control four fires. A large fire began at a senior housing complex under construction. The foundation of a senior housing from a local Baptist Church was destroyed. Another fire ignited at a vacant warehouse about a block away and homes near the senior housing caught fire from the ambers.  

Fifteen police officers have been reported injured and multiple vehicles have been set on fire near the North and Pennsylvania Avenues, according to police. Two dozen people have been arrested.
During a press conference, Governor Hogan and authorities confirmed that more than 1,500 law enforcement officers have been assigned to the Baltimore area to restore order. An additional 5,000 law enforcement officers from the adjacent states will join Baltimore police and State police in attempting to take control of the streets.

The armed Maryland National Guard will be working with police and the State police. The guard will begin patrolling the streets on Monday night.

Governor Hogan said, that thugs, out of state agitators and local gangs had turned a peaceful protest into a riot and causing chaos in the city. The agitators have broken up into multiple groups and are causing vandalism, looting, crime and setting fires to businesses.

Baltimore mom beats son after she catches him throwing rocks at police and forces him to go home. https://youtu.be/VRlmCf1Kj2o

Update:

Since Monday, police reported 15 structure fires, 144 vehicle fires and 200 arrests.