A massive explosion demolished a Maryland apartment building Thursday morning, leaving 10 people injured, several missing and about 100 displaced as crews searched through charred debris.
Of the 10 people hospitalized, three had serious injuries after the fiery blast wrecked a four-story apartment building in Silver Spring, just outside Washington, D.C., Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Scott Goldstein said at a Thursday afternoon news conference.
Goldstein said several people were unaccounted for, adding that K-9 units had alerted that there may be bodies or survivors trapped under the rubble at Friendly Garden Apartments. He said heavy machinery will be needed to remove large debris and a remaining wall.
"We do have several unaccounted for," Goldstein said. "I do not have a number to provide you at this point."
"Our focus is to remain here until everybody is accounted for."
About 100 people were displaced, including residents of two neighboring apartment buildings that were declared unsafe to reoccupy, Goldstein said.
Goldstein said authorities would help residents of these two buildings retrieve their belongings before being taken to shelters, hotels or other buildings in the apartment complex.
Video captures blast at Silver Spring apartment complex
Video footage from a nearby neighbor's security camera captured the moment the thunderous blast leveled the building. Screams can be heard as a plume of smoke shot upward from the building.
Goldstein said fire crews arriving at the complex after the explosion around 10:30 a.m. Thursday found all four stories of the apartment building engulfed in flames.
Videos posted on Twitter by the fire department's spokesperson, Peter Piringer, showed firefighters hosing a smoldering, charred pile of debris. Goldstein said most of the flames had been extinguished by Thursday afternoon.
"It’s kind of scary looking at the extent of the explosion and it’s hard not to imagine the impact it’s had on people," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. "It’s definitely a tough day."
Steven Inman rushed to the scene after he heard a bang and felt a shake as he was cooking in a nearby apartment.
“I see that the building is gone," Inman said. "My father yells out to me and I was already running over here."
Inman said he helped a woman and child get out of the building and found another woman with severe burns on much of her body.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said the state fire marshal, state police and state emergency management officials were offering their support in responding to the explosion.
"Please keep all those involved, including our first responders, in your prayers," Hogan said in a tweet Thursday.
Cause of explosion under investigation
Goldstein said authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion. There were no prior 911 calls about potential gas leaks on the block since at least Jan. 1 of last year, he said.
Washington Gas, a utility that serves the area, said its personnel were assisting the fire department.
"As always, the safety of our customers and community is our top priority," the company said in a statement. "We are supporting the active investigation and do not have further details to share at this time."
In 2016, an explosion at an apartment building just miles away from Thursday's blast left two children and five adults dead and sent 68 more to the hospital. A three-year investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board pointed to Washington Gas’ faulty equipment as the most likely cause of the explosion, though the company disputed the findings.
The county's department of health and human services and the Red Cross are working to provide medical care, food, clothing and shelter to people displaced by the explosion, the Montgomery County Council said in a statement. The council added that the Montgomery Housing Partnership had launched a webpage for people wanting to donate to those displaced.
"Councilmembers are keeping the residents of the Friendly Garden Apartments and the neighboring community members in our thoughts and prayers after today’s horrific explosion, fire and building collapse," the council said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.
