Two dead, cause unknown in Maryland explosion and fire

Two people were killed and dozens more injured in a gas explosion and fire in an apartment building outside of Washington, D.C., officials said on Thursday (August 11).

The blast at the four-story building shortly before midnight in Silver Spring, Maryland, was felt more than a mile away, officials said.

“An off-duty Montgomery County Police officer was alerted to an explosion and a fire located at the residence, apartments behind me. He immediately contacted our emergency communications center, and he and other officers from our department and the Takoma Park Police Department began rescue efforts and administering first aid,” said Assistant Chief Russ Hamill.

“As a result of these joint efforts, 34 individuals were taken to local hospitals, including three firefighters who have been treated and released as of this morning. Subsequent investigation of the premises has resulted in the identification of two decedents located within the ruins of the building,” Hamill added.

Officials said several people were still unaccounted for and asked for help locating them or determining they were in the building at the time of the fire.

About 160 firefighters battled the blaze, which was brought under control by Thursday morning. Many stayed on the scene to comb through the wreckage for signs of trapped residents and to extinguish smoldering spots.

Federal explosives experts are helping investigate the explosion.

“We are not prepared to discuss at this time any causes of this incident. We will conduct a thorough investigation into this tragedy, and we ask anyone with any information regarding the tragedy to please contact us as well, at the same numbers of the 3-1-1 system that’s been established. We will be conducting this joint investigation with our partners from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue services, fire and explosive investigations unit, as well as the ATF,” Hamill said.

The blast scattered debris as far as 300 feet (90 meters) from the building. Clothing was seen strewn on sidewalk treetops, and bricks were launched across a roadway, badly damaging a storefront and cars parked nearby.