Howard County fire officials ordered the evacuation of several families after a problem was discovered with an underground electric cable.
Firefighters said that at about 8 p.m. Saturday residents in the Columbia community reported high carbon monoxide levels and a strange odor that was initially thought to be a gas leak.
As a precaution, at least 60 people were evacuated from their homes at the Columbia Landing Apartments in the 8900 block of Tamar Drive in Columbia. About 30 residents were placed in a nearby hotel.
No one has reported an illness or been hospitalized due to the smell.
Crews said they found a problem with an underground electric cable and are in the process of making repairs.
About 70 customers will lose service due to the process, and crews said they weren’t sure how long the process would take.
Stay with WBALTV.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest updates.
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