Apr 29, 2008 8:06 am US/Eastern
Your Thoughts On The Loud Booms
PIKESVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore County police talk with Derek Valcourt about what they know about the loud boom.
"That is an electrical hit and we see it here in the Deep South around transformers when the conditions are very moist and during fog especially. We have them arc for literally 20 feet from pole to pole. A good dew does it very well and you should be able to see it on the transformers as something like a carbon track around the poles. Florida has them too when its very dry and the limestone dust gets onto the wires. You can actually see St. Elmo's fire build up on the wires and then drop and explode. Sometimes it just explodes with a loud crack like that. The arc happens, it removes the dust or the water from the area and it waits till the next opportunity. It figures, you are near the ocean. I doubt its dust but more like dew or fog." -- Randolph Kruger
"Could it be some kind of military/government bomb testing? You know how the military is. We don't know what or where they do their testing or how they test. Sounds and looks like a bomb to me. Just a thought." -- Lynn
"Could the light/booms in Pikeville be related to testing a new radar for F-16's by Northrup Grumman?" -- Bruce Whiting
"It could be teenagers shooting off a carbide cannon in the school parking lot." -- John Howard
"It is a prankster with a propane cannon. These devices are self contained and are used by farmers to scare bird flocks away from crops. The devices run on simple propane tanks as used by gas grills. The cannons can be set for time intervals between booms and produce a flame like flash from the muzzle which at night can illuminate a large area such as a parking lot. The noise level when fired is very loud and can be heard over a wide area. You can obtain more information on these cannons by Googling "Propane Cannon". Please pass my suggestion to the Baltimore County Police." -- Jerry Betzler
"Can I tell you, I live in Balto Co., Overlea and have all of my life. I have heard those booms for years at my house. I always wondered what they were. When my window is open at night, it sounds far away, but distinctive enough to wake me up at night. When I saw the story, I told my husband that I hear those sounds. I was surprised that no one knows what it is. Weird!" -- Jacki Amato
"Hasn't anyone noticed that it only occurs at night? That rules out electrical discharge, sewer gasses exploding, old ordinance, etc, etc. IT IS PRANKSTERS setting off acetylene balloons at NIGHT!" -- Tim Dybala
"When I was in college some of my friends used to take balloons filled with hydrogen and balloons filled with oxygen and tie one of each together and attach an m80 firecracker. Light the m80 and release the balloons. They would float up between 40 and 60 feet and when the m80 exploded it popped the balloons and the hydrogen and oxygen combined. Hydrogen and Oxygen combined with heat (the m80) produce the effect of making rain (putting it too simply) but it creates a tremendous flash of light and a loud boom like thunder. I am not saying your occurance is this but it sure sounds like old times. Have a great day." -- Raggy
"I think I know what your explosions are. In Ohio we call them "Boomers". First you take two baloons. Fill the first one with helium and tie it off. Then fill the second one with half oxygen and half acetylene. Then you tie the two together with about 2 or 3 feet of fireworks fuse. Light the fuse and let go. I know one guy that used a 30 gallon trash bag for the helium balloon once. It went so high you could hear it for miles!" -- Tom Walter
"I bet it's a disgruntled person who had land taken for the development around there, or was not accepted in a complex, somthing like that. What "it is" I think is a small helium ballon with a 1/4 stick of dynamite or a large long fuse, good luck." -- Jerry Greene
"Simple, take an oxy-acetylene torch and produce a cutting flame, and then tap it out so only cutting gas is produced. Fill a large balloon and tie it off with a piece of cannon fuse attached. Attach a helium filled balloon and let them go after lighting the cannon fuse boom! Huge boom and flash!" -- Gene Kilber
"My personal theory on the Pikesville phenonemon is that it is most likely a prank. Having ruled out electrical and natural gas sources, and taking into account the sparseness of the area where the explosion(s) seemed to originate (an empty parking lot), the height (estimated to be 30-40 feet off the ground), and the lack of firework residue leads me to guess at an alternate "firework" theory: a hydrogen balloon. A typical party balloon filled with flammable hydrogen (not inert helium used to fill most party balloons - think Hindenburgh) and a lit fuse trailing behind it could rise to the required height before detonating with the appropriate flash/bang and leaving no residue (maybe some balloon residue - but it might have been overlooked as being insignificant). The launching site would have to be fairly open and clear of overhead obstacles - trees & powerlines - which makes a parking lot ideal. The "balloon bomb" would be very easy to make, using a regular latex rubber ballooen, a simple string or candle wick as a fuse, and filled with hydrogen to provide lift and the explosive. The hydrogen would be the only potentially difficult item to obtain. It would either have to be bought as a cannister or produced chemically. Because of its light weight and volitility, very little would go a long way. My guess it that someone(s) has discovered the wonders of hydrogen and is having a good laugh. I would also imagine that with the increased publicity and scrutiny, the culprit(s) will probably now lay low or cease altogether to keep from getting caught. This is a fascinating story and I hope there is a follow-up when the mystery is solved." -- Viewer
"I believe that the unexplained booms & flashes are the results of event horizons or rifts in time due to experimentations in time travel from a date in the future. When the test is successful then you will see an object or someone from the future. Keep looking." -- Paul Scheerer
"It is an interesting phenomena to say the least. Lightning does strike the same place twice, but obviously the weather conditions are not such that this would occur that frequently. However, as Bernadette suggested perhaps there are secondary characteristics which are supporting the events. Without seeing the area in detail I was curious as to underground sources of electricity which could create a charging of ground particle which then react to changes in atmospheric conditions. A second thought would be any type of poorly insulted compressor which is also creating electrical charge and simply generating a strong static electricity event. The sound is very similar to thunder or a rapid heating of air. Looking forward to finally see what is discovered and so are my students." -- Greg
"This may be a Zon gun, that's a propane cannon." -- Mark
"I just read about a guy attaching flares to balloons and letting them go, causing panic/wonderment in phoenix and the same kind of thing in fla., I think. Sounds to me like somebody attaching a big firecracker to a balloon in your neck of the woods." -- Viewer
"That bang almost sounds like a sonic boom … any chance we're being hit by small meteors and that's what we're hearing/seeing when they hit the atmosphere?" -- Lisa Lyons
"Saw Derek V's report on the Pikesville bangs. Tell him the military has something called counter-battery radar that is used to identify the source of artillery. That would locate the source. Contact the Pentagon or Aberdeen Proving Ground." --Bill Gertz
"I've had problems sleeping for years, and while awake at night, I've heard very loud booms that sound exactly like the ones in Derek's piece. I've wondered for years what I'm hearing, but I'm glad to know I'm not alone. Maybe I should set up my own camera!" --Kathleen
"Thanks for the story about the explosions and bright light. While you were running the story at 5:30 a.m. today, I thought I saw a loose wire in the shot that showed a large electric pole. It was the wire on the bottom of the ones shown. It looked like it was just blowing in the wind—if it gets close enough to make contact of an arc, such an explosion would occur. Please check it out. Thanks again for your news of down there and of the area in southern PA where I live." -- Tim
"I'm glad I haven't had to hear that noise or see that light. Obviously, if the police have ruled out explosive devises, something else is occurring. If I were living in that neighborhood I'd be calling a seizmotologist. I work in the Pikesville area ... um it would be nice if the noise was investigated as a just in case there is some sort of gas being released from underground. It kind of reminds me of one of those crazy TV movies where there's a volcano under New York. The notion is silly but when push comes to shove, someone, somewhere, should be interested enough to try to find its cause. I find it hard to believe that that has not occurred yet." -- Dee
"Sounds like a prank we used to do up in MA when bored way back, mix a bunch of oxygen and acetylene (from a cutting torch) and some helium in a trash bag, using a string to tie it shut and a cig stuffed in a pack of matches for a 3 min fuse. It'd float up high and make a big white flash with a good report." -- Jason
"Very interesting story Derek has reported. Being the type – A, analytical airline pilot type I am not convinced that the answer is that elusive. Considering what is necessary to create light and sound the list becomes very small very quick. As Derek considered gunshot, fire works, electrical, or meteorological. With the complete randomness of this all can be eliminated with the exception of electrical. I believe that another look should be taken at the local BGE substation, transmission lines.. The only other concept is static discharge which is normally associated with convective weather in the area and that has been ruled out, unless there is a some peculiar man made circumstance for a static discharge. Tell Derek to go back to where the security camera was and place another camera a bit to the right. If you notice the shadows in the footage you can determine the direction. Just keep moving the camera in the opposite direction of the shadows till you find the source. I love a good mystery." --Pilot Bill
"I would like to toss my hat in the ring of thoughts on the cause of the boom. I believe it's whats called an Acetylene balloon. Acetylene is a welding gas that is lighter than air. Pranksters can fill large balloons with the gas from a welding tank, then tie string to the end, light the string on fire as a fuse of sorts. The ignition of the gas balloon produces a deafening concussion boom and a quick bright flash of light. Just a thought, thanks." -- TSS
"Isn't there something about atoms colliding that produces a sound much like the one described and a sound also like what we are hearing? Does this have something to do with maybe a recent development somewhere in the area?" -- Loretta Graves
"Growing up on a farm in Northern Baltimore County there were high power lines going threw a neighbor's farm. There was always discharges from the lines. At one point the cattle walking under them had singed hair on their backs. There were bangs with the discharges also but, not always. We were always told by the electric company it's nothing to worry about. Things were always happening under them. No big deal it's something we got use to." -- WRS
"I think the Feds should get involved Send someone from NASA or MIT. There must be some sort of computer or machine that can measure the ions in the atmosphere and pinpoint the source. Or maybe soil samples would reveal something. I want to know if people are camping out in the neighborhood waiting to see it." -- Deborah
"I have a theory. I live in Harford County, and it wasn't until a few months ago, that a noise I've been hearing for seven plus years was Aberdeen Proving Ground blowing things up. Friends and family thought I was crazy, because I was the only one that heard it until a few months ago. It was in the newspapers, it could be heard for miles. I'm not familiar with Pikesville, but is it possible that a proving ground or something similar could be causing this?" -- Dorothy
"The loud boom that is the conversation of the day, is not isolated only in Pikesville. Sunday before last, my family here in Perry Hall, heard the humongously loud boom that you are talking about today. We've never heard it before, but were taken aback at the volume of the boom, as it woke us up out of a deep sleep. We've never seen anything like it -- the light truly light up the house, and will never forget it. It is a mystery, and we look forward to heaing the result." -- Debbi
"I have read similar accounts of this phenomena across our country. Currently, tests are being conducted with supersonic aircraft that can create such events in our atmosphere. The goal is to create immediate action from our nation to respond to threats throughout the world in incomprehensible times!" -- Bryan "The mystery is solved. It's the "Baltimore Blasts." -- Bill
"Once saw a cartoon with a cat hanging on a screen and the screen wired to an electrical fixture. The man of the house was standing there with a big grin. His wife was looking on appalled that he was doing such a dastardly deed. Thus, The Sound and Light is a power surge from a screen in the area and it's effect on the local electrical system by a person who hates CATS." -- Lee Fiddler
"I was watching your show this morning bout the Baltimore bang and I was thinking that maybe you should call Maryann Winkowski. I was thinking maybe its a ghost," -- Katie
"Something similar was happening in Prince George's County and it turned out to be at a local junk yard. They were crushing cars and the Co2 cartridges in the AC units were exploding. Is there a junk yard or recycling business in that area?" -- Julia
"There has been a similar event in Indiana and they have yet to find the source as well. http://www.theindychannel.com/news/15907638/detail.html" --Christina
"A few weeks ago, I was driving down Rt. 40 heading into the city, on a very clear night, when there was a loud boom and flash of light. I thought nothing of it, until I saw your story." -- Stuart
"I have a idea it maybe a little silly but it may work. You have a camara mounted ontop of your tower, direct the camara towards the area of the mystery. If nothing else you should get an image of the light. Just a thought." -- Earl C. Harriss
'Isn't there a copper roof on the octagon building at Beth Tfiloh ? I think it was recently replaced. Could that be charging with atmospheric static electricity then discharging like a large scale capacitor?" -- Patrick Collison
"My hubby has an idea, he says there is a military base, Pikesville Military Reservation- nearby." -- Sue
"The noise seems to be surrounded by or close to a (hollow?) metal enclosure. If you listen closely you can hear the reverberation after the boom." -- Bob
"My money would be on a trash can liner or large balloon, filled with the proper mix of hydrogen and oxygen, sent aloft with a longish fuse. A merry prankster." -- Jeff Hancock
"I think I might know the origin of your mystery booms. I have done this once or twice myself and it works well. Take a balloon and fill it with hydrogen and acetylene gas, attach a detonation device (as simple as a small flaming string)and the noise from a 12" balloon is very impressive. A 9' weather balloon has to be at least 3000' in the air or it will take out windows. I stoped this after 9-11 cause the law no longer has a sense of humor. This trick has been the source of a couple of exploding UFO reports. RE-watch the videos and see if you don't observe a very small flame just prior to the detonation." -- Bill Wilson "I have watched your video on the Pikesville Mystery and my thoughts are that this is some type of static discharge. My reasoning is there is no burning, smoke or other type of damage done from the loud bang and flash. Maybe this builds up do to weather related conditions as well as area conditions and when it finally reaches a point, it goes off. I had an experience at work where I was shocked by a static discharge. There were no burns and it was a very loud pop. Definitely not near as loud as in Pikesville, but in the same realm. Good Luck and I hope someone finds the answer. " -- Al Albert
"I believe the loud booms and flashes of light are from a build up of natural gases under ground, it could be that because a quarry is so close to the area that from digging may cause both of these reactions. The End." -- Joyce
"I don't know the area but are there any apple orchards in the vicinity??? Many orchards in our area have devices that create booms and flashes to keep deer from eating their produce... Maybe something to forward on... Thanks for your time." -- Jeff Windsor
"I have watched your video on the Pikesville Mystery and my thoughts are that this is some type of static discharge. My reasoning is there is no burning, smoke or other type of damage done from the loud bang and flash. Maybe this builds up do to weather related conditions as well as area conditions and when it finally reaches a point, it goes off. I had an experience at work where I was shocked by a static discharge. There were no burns and it was a very loud pop. Definitely not near as loud as in Pikesville, but in the same realm. Good Luck and I hope someone finds the answer. " -- Al Albert
"I believe the loud booms and flashes of light are from a build up of natural gases under ground, it could be that because a quarry is so close to the area that from digging may cause both of these reactions. "I don't know the area but are there any apple orchards in the vicinity??? Many orchards in our area have devices that create booms and flashes to keep deer from eating their produce... Maybe something to forward on... Thanks for your time." -- Jeff Windsor "The Pikesville "mystery" could be a bird control system. They run off of LP gas and "detonate" on a regular interval. Regan National Airport uses one to keep birds off the runway." -- Dan West
"I wanted to comment on the strange occurrences that Derek Valcourt reported on. I am no expert by any stretch however I have seen and heard something very similar to this. A few years ago, I saw BGE conduct a demonstration on overhead power line fuses and what they do when they blow. It sounds like a gun shot and flashes when it occurs. The only problem with my theory is that they explained that depending on the system, it requires BGE linemen to come out and replace the fuse. Other systems are automatic and try to re-establish a connection and and do so without interruption of power. Therefore, there is no evidence that anything ever happened. I have seen videos of incidents still involving the same sounds and light that do not blow the fuse. And the problem continues for many hours. I know BGE looked into these occurrences, however I still suspect it is electrical. Below are some videos on YouTube that show similar incidents: http://youtube.com/watch?v=T8LoP3Ek6yAhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=OY72athcwvAhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=3JxvwmQs0Fg (this is the system that restarts itself) Again, just a theory." -- David Perry
"This message is about the loud boom and light in Pikesville.I was thinking if the ground is high in iron or copper.The ground could hold a static charge (electrostatic) reaches a high level then the static charge is released through a cloud that is also high in static just like if two people have a static build up and the two touch or come close to each other the static is released I believe this could be what is causing the sounds and light," -- David Moxley
"Regarding the strange happenings in Pikesville, I've had similar occurrences happen here in Towson. It was about 12 years ago and mostly in the early morning. Once I remember in the evening. I'm going to guess about 8 times over a period of a year or so. There would be a huge explosion outside and it would light up my entire bedroom. It sounded like it was right outside my door. I had just moved in with my boyfriend at the time and I asked him what it could have been. He said it happened quite a few times before and he thought a squirrel touched the transformer box and the live wire on the pole at the same time. Something like that and it would explode and blow the squirrel in to pieces. This hasn't happened since, that I'm aware of. We have a lot of squirrels around here so I think his theory was incorrect. Who knows?? I'm anxious to find out the mystery that has everyone so puzzled. Maybe it will be something as simple as the unlucky squirrel family who takes the shortcut home by way of the electric lines." -- Kathy Pine
"In investigating the loud noises in Pikesville, has anyone attempted to use directional microphones. I know that the Shot Spotter system that many cities use can triangulate the location of a gunshot to within a city block. This might at least pinpoint the origin of the sounds." -- Jeffrey Meyer
"I have a suggestion to maybe figure out what is going on with the loud booms and flashes of light in Pikesville. Maybe if they had a helicopter fly over during these times periods they would have a better view as to where it is coming from." -- Jennie Owensby
"Do a Goggle search, here's 2 I found in just a few minutes http://www.mendhak.com/56-mystery-sounds-booms-and-hums.aspxhttp://www.sott.net/signs/signs_boom_supplement.htm Good luck." -- Dean Tippett
PS. From the shadows in the pictures the light source looks to be from above, 3 cameras, triangulation should pinpoint the source, get some scientists involved
"The noise in Pikesville is probably someone playing a prank with a bird cannon. http://www.gemplers.com/product/RABM4/M4-Single-Detonation-Cannon" -- John Kulczycki
"Gas is being released from the ground and finding an ignition source. Most likely sewer gas." -- Mark Cornacchione
"This will sound strange, but try calling Ghost hunters,http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/, it is not their usual investigation genre, but they have lots of equipment that would assist in the investigation, as well as their experience. I think they could cover many bases, and come up with answers." -- Annamarie Gosnell
"The sound sounds like a shot gun, trust me I live in the hood." -- Leonard Taylor
"Just a theory, but the sound and video on tonight's report reminded me a little of a device called a "flash-bang". Flash-bangs produce a loud bang coupled with a super-bright flash; they are used by SWAT teams and military assault teams to disorient and confuse suspects during a room assault. When set off outside, they produce effects very similar to what you caught on video. Contact the Baltimore County SWAT team and ask them to set off a few flash-bangs in the same area as the mystery flashes, and see if the sound and light match the mystery flashes. With a few experimental flash-bang launches, it may be possible to determine roughly what direction the mystery sounds are coming from. And once direction is determined, the actual source can eventually be traced. The flashes do appear to be elevated, and not at ground level; if they are caused by flash-bangs or similar devices, someone may be throwing them off a roof, or launching them with a clay shooter (such as those used by skeet or trap shooters). If the sound and light are being caused by flash-bangs or similar devices, then it's possible that it's a prank, or someone playing with these devices like toys, or even someone using them to scare off deer that are feeding on their garden, or some other pest." -- William Garmer Jr. "I think the mysterious sound/flash is some kind of industrial equipment or an incinerator that isn't ventilating properly." -- Will Donato
"Regarding that loud explosion and loud bang in the Baltimore County area I think it could be when bubbles of methane gas rise up out of rotting vegetation." -- James Pierce
"I looked at the video of the explosions in Pikesville, and it seems to me that they are coming from high up. Otherwise the roofs of the buildings would not illuminated. If it originated from the ground, only the exterior walls would be illuminated and not the rooftops. Could someone be setting off fireworks on a rooftop? Could one of the air conditioning units on one of the buildings be malfunctioning? The police should check the roof tops in the area, or put a helicopter overhead, to trace the source of the explosion. Perhaps using infrared technology to trace the heat patterns from these bangs, the warmer area is walys going to be closer to the source." -- Neil Ege
"I thought about Derek's mystery sound it sounds like a propane canon used to scare off birds out west. They can be equipped with timers and are available on the web at bird busters. They run off regular type propane tanks. My dad was going to get one years ago to scare birds off his blueberry bushes. It could be used as a prank good luck." -- Edward Robinson
"I have seen faulty red light cameras flash for no reason but I am not sure about the noise. Maybe the noise is from a short in the camera system. Electric shorts can make noise because I have heard them." -- William Daily
"I viewed your story on the explosions in the Pikesville area, and have suggestion. Could some unexploded ordinance from the armory could have been buried in the area? Could it be going off? Pikesville at one time was out in the country and very secluded, even more so than today. Could some sewer gas have built up and exploding? Could there be a faulty transformer on one of the utility poles,or underground, that BGE may have missed. It has to be something large, and explosive enough to create a large flash, without burning anything to have caused this explosion. Otherwise there would have been charred buildings, trees, grass. etc..Perhaps something buried in the ground decades ago, possibly something the armory disposed of could be detonating. I urge those in charge to check this out. This could be the solution to this problem." -- Neil Ege
"I had an electrical transformer on a telephone pole make the exact same noise with a flash of light behind my house in Hagerstown. It made me drop to my knees. It was so loud and bright. This could be the mystery." -- Viewer
"I watched your report about the "Baltimore County Mystery" involving the mysterious loud booming noise and bright flash of light. The report mentioned that cameras were placed, yet there was no mention of an actual person being posted overnight. Further more, based on the camera images you showed the camera must have been placed at a great distance from the source. Personally, it seems like a no-brainer. Place, someone on watch duty overnight. The report said the source of the light was coming from a parking lot, right? If so, have a police officer in an unmarked car with tinted windows posted and wait. If it happens as often as implied there shouldn't be much (if any) disappointment. If safety is a concern place cameras CLOSER. DUH!" -- Viewer
"It appears to be consistent with the burst of sound and flash of light associated with the phenomena of time travel. Due to the Electromagnetic (EM) radiation caused by the time shift from one time to another causing the flash of light. In physics, the space surrounding an electric charge or in the presence of a time-varying magnetic field has a property called an electric field. This electric field exerts a force on other electrically charged objects (thus being the device or machine for time travel). The electric energy is the potential energy associated with the conservative Coulomb forces between charged particles causing the loud sound. Science is a phenomenon in itself but the question is not what the sound or light is caused from. The real question is who or what is shifting into our time and what do they want? Could it be future politicians correcting their own past's mistakes?" -- Viewer
"As my husband and I watched this story last night we both instantly thought of this: The huge quarries in the Hunt Valley - Timonium area have mines deep underground that extend all the way south under Baltimore County to the city. They blast all the time. Maybe this is the source. Good luck. I can't imagine they will be too thrilled to be found responsible, if they are." -- Susan
"I am thinking the loud blasts and lights are to keep pigeons away from the area." --
Jennifer from Centreville "Check local ventilation and exhaust ducts. It's possible it's a "backfire" of a leaking or abundant gas in a steam/gas exhaust shaft, much like an old car. The explosion seems to be behind the camera, which is on a building, and the flash is somewhat limited which may be because of the walls on the roof. A backfire in a typical car is deafening, imagine it with a 30 inch pipe. When it doubt, stake it out. :) We see that it takes place between 2 and 4 am. Bring coffee and clearance to get on that roof top." -- Dan from Aberdeen
"The loud and disruptive bangs that the people in the Pikesville area are hearing, do you think that it could be related to and event that may have happened in the area such as the Union troop movements to wards Gettysburg to meet the Confederate troops?" -- Kenny Peacock
"I think it is static electricity, but I'm not sure where it is coming from." -- Mark Jaworski "Here is a source for something called power arching. I know that sound I have heard it many times when the electrical terminal on the BG&E power pole shorted out. Possibly someone has rigged a device to cut the power and turn it back on. BG&E needs to investigate further. If it is happening at the same time every time it happens maybe they could have a helicopter in the air and see where its location originates. Here is the most likely cause, Jumper wire. Coming out of the top of the transformer is a wire called the jumper wire. This is also live with current flowing through it. When this wire is shorted out it makes a loud crackling noise and a bright flashing light." -- Viewer
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