FREDERICK, Maryland

A loud explosion was heard in downtown Frederick late Monday before widespread power outages swept through the area, prompting a major emergency response from police, fire crews, and utility workers.

According to a public safety alert issued by the Frederick PD, the incident involved an underground electrical fire near the intersection of South Market Street and East All Saints Street.

Emergency crews were dispatched shortly after reports of the explosion and loss of power.

Witnesses in the downtown area told MDBayNews they heard a sudden “boom” moments before lights went out across multiple blocks.

Some residents also reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the street, consistent with an underground electrical or manhole fire.

https://mdbaynews.com/2026/01/12/downtown-frederick-explosion-underground-electrical-fire-power-outage

MIDLAND, Texas

Circulating SM posts claimed an asteroid or meteor struck near Midland & Ector Co early Sun morning.

According to the posts, videos timestamped just after 2:38 a.m. appeared to capture a loud boom that several heard.

Some posts claimed the NOAA confirmed a baseball-sized meteor landed in an open field near the Midland–Ector Co line close to Faudree Rd.

There are no reports confirming a meteor or asteroid strike in the Midland area. Neither NASA nor NOAA reported a meteor impact locally.

Data from the USGS also does not show an alleged 3.2-mag earthquake at that time.

There were no fireball events logged for Midland or Ector Co nor were there any investigations related to the incident by Midland PD or FD.

Oncor Energy reported no equipment failures in the area at that time.

For now, the source of the loud boom remains a mystery.

https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/community/astronomer-talks-with-newswest-9-on-possible-meteor-seen-in-midland/513-e1e660e9-4ac7-4c33-ad34-c7221b28f478