The Most Baltimore Thing In The World showed up the other day when a gas explosion blew up three houses on Labyrinth Avenue in the city's northwest corridor.
It happened just before 10 in the morning, and the news stations had live coverage all day and into the night. By the time the noon news came on, they were showing people showing up with needed supplies. It was fortunate, at least, that the scene of the explosion was a few steps away from the Reisterstown Road Plaza, which afforded the helpers plenty of room to set up.
Meanwhile, at the scene, people living nearby had run out of their homes - often without socks or shoes - to start the rescue effort. Seven people were injured, and two lost their lives. Families and friends came together as people emerged from the detritus, with their possessions scattered to the four winds, but, with those exceptions above, their bodies and souls still among the quick.
Baltimore City police were there along with the Fire Departments from the city and Baltimore and Howard Counties. The Jewish community group known as the Chesed Fund was passing out water to neighbors and the many fire, police, utilities and other agencies on site. The temperature was 90°, with oppressive humidity, so water was a must. And because of the uncertainty of the source of the gas leak, power had to be shut off in the neighborhood for safety, leaving more people in need of a cool drink and shade.
One of the people rescued was barefoot, according to the article in the Baltimore SUN. Na-Shaé Carter, 20, went to her house and came back with a pair of her mother's pink socks for the lady.
“I got 10,000 socks,” said her mother. “One pair ain’t gonna hurt. To give it to somebody in their time of need, I don’t even care. I was out here giving out water. … I wasn’t worried about me. I was worried about my neighbors.”
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross was on the job to find temporary housing for those left without a home, and they were supplying water and food on the lot near the Applebee’s.
But here is the most Baltimore thing on an awful Baltimore day: a man was on the news, no bigshot he, just a working class salt of the earth guy. He said, "I had $500. I took $300 and bought 30 pizzas at Papa John's, and $200 worth of water at Giant's*."
And he delivered all that to people he didn't know, just people he wanted to help. That's Baltimore.
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*Something else that's pure Baltimore - we make the names of all grocery stores and hardware outlets possesive. I can meet you at Safeway's or Home Depot's if you want to hear more.
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