SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 11 (UPI) — Montgomery County, Md., fire officials said up to seven residents of a Silver Spring apartment complex were missing Thursday after an explosion and subsequent fire.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Scott Goldstein said at least five to seven Flower Branch Apartments residents are missing. Search dogs have been deployed to find the missing people.
It is unclear if there were any fatalities in the blast. Part of the building collapsed after the explosion late Wednesday. Goldstein said up to 30 people were hurt, some sustaining minor injuries while others’ were more serious, including burns and fractures from people who jumped out of windows.
The cause for the explosion was under investigation. There are gas stoves and furnaces in each apartment. About 100 firefighters responded to the incident, Goldstein said, adding that additional nearby buildings are also at risk of collapse.
About 90 people have been displaced due to the incident, MCFRS chief spokesman Pete Piringer said.
