Pride decor was set ablaze at two homes on the same street in Baltimore early Wednesday morning, leading to multiple homes going up in flames and three people in serious need of hospitalization.
The investigation is still underway, but it seems that initially one home’s Pride flags were set on fire:
Pride flags set on fire early this morning. 3 houses destroyed and people in the hospital. 31st and Barclay, Baltimore. FBI and ATF investigating. My friend Todd’s flag melted, without burning his house down. pic.twitter.com/0g3q5Lz7sK
— Ghostman Brandon (@BrandonGhostman) June 15, 2022
Shortly after, the home across the street (also sporting Pride decor) was completely set ablaze. The latter is the fire that spread to two adjacent homes and left three people hospitalized in serious and critical conditions.
Here is what #BMORESBravest saw as they arrived at the fire on E 31st this morning. Fortunately, everyone made it out of the 3 homes. #BCFDEMS transported 3 people to hospitals for check ups. pic.twitter.com/cvx2hIXT8n
— Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 (@BCFDL734) June 15, 2022
According to CBS Local News Baltimore, it was initially reported that Baltimore Police and Fire were investigating the arsons as hate crimes (for obvious reasons), but in a news briefing Police Commissioner Michael Harrison would only say the causes are “still being investigated.”
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Related: WATCH: ‘Proud Boys’ try to disrupt drag queen story hour in California
This latest anti-LGBTQ attack comes on the heels of increasingly constant violence against the community.
Just this past weekend Proud Boys stormed a Drag Queen Storytime event in the Bay Area threatening violence and dozens of members of right-wing extremist group Patriot Front were arrested on-route to terrorize a Pride in the Park event in Idaho.
Related: Patriot Front member’s mom tells him to find new home after Pride arrest
The investigation is still developing, and we will update as further information becomes available.
stanpaske
A small gesture of love becomes a huge statement of hate and ultimately stupidity. Cannot wait to see the tears to fall on this one. May prison show them how to turn the other cheek. Kisses.
judysdad
In these times, in this country, if you’re GLB, it’s best to keep a very low profile.
Mr. Stadnick
That is called kowtowing and letting hate win.
Mattster
No! Hate and violence cannot be allowed to win. I’m putting a pride flag out today, and urge everyone else to do the same.
wikidBSTN
NEVER
Josh in OR
Ahhh, arson…
The Christian extremist’s favorite weapon against those they consider ‘inhuman’ for 2,000 years…
BEARY FLINTSTONE
This is sad and PRIDE is next weekend in Baltimore.
Jer
On flag day I put out my large American flag, and below it a small rainbow flag. I don’t know whether anybody noticed, but at least I gave expression.
I’m glad nobody decided my house needed to be burned down.