Arlington Duplex Explosion-Support the Smith's

Arlington Duplex Explosion-Support for the Smith Family

A wonderful family of four lost their entire home during the December 4, 2023 explosion in Arlington, VA. They could benefit from our support this holiday season.

To give you more details you may have seen in the news, the Smith family was asked to evacuate their home by local authorities on the evening of December 4. Police had been called to the area to investigate possible gunshots and determined that a flare gun had been discharged 30-40 times in the area. When Arlington Police Department officers attempted to execute a search warrant for a suspect on the adjacent side of the Smith’s duplex home the officers heard what they believed to be gunshots from inside the house. Moments later, a massive explosion destroyed the entire structure, with Arlington Fire and the FBI responding. Both sides of the duplex, including the Smith family residence, were demolished in this explosion. Debris and wreckage were sent far into the surrounding neighborhood and the blast could be heard and felt for miles. Because of the explosion, the Smith family sadly lost all their worldly possessions.

Thankfully, the Smith family and their their sweet dog, are alive, healthy, and very much together. This explosion is still part of an active investigation, and miraculously a few responders escaped with only minor injuries.

Jami Hill-Smith and Lance Smith have enjoyed calling Northern Virginia home for many years. They have forged strong bonds within the community, while focusing on raising a family of two wonderful children. The Smith’s love the DC area and all it has to offer, their kids in particular love the capital region and thrive in schools, parks, and activities. The Smiths loved living on Burlington St. in Arlington, renovating their side of the duplex extensively and working tirelessly to create a special home for their children to flourish.

It is the goal of their friends and loved ones to see the Smith family get back to normal as best they can following this horrible tragedy…especially, as we approach the holiday season. Please join us in supporting the Smith family as they work to restore balance in their lives and focus on their incredible family, while we also respect their privacy. As they do with all other endeavors, the family has a positive outlook and is focused on a healthy recovery to overcome this catastrophe. You can help, please consider donating what you can. Thank you on behalf of the Smith Family, whom I have known since 1994 while attending Oklahoma State University.