Early video: 2 confirmed dead 31 injured in Maryland apartment explosion & fire
UPDATE
A massive explosion and fire leveled a Silver Spring apartment complex with a blast that could be felt a mile away, leaving two dead and injuring 31 people and forcing nearly 100 people from two buildings with some residents tossing their children from windows, officials said Thursday.
Authorities did not identify the dead at a lunchtime news conference or release a cause for the fire, but crews shifted into search mode Thursday morning, seeking to account for missing residents of the two adjacent buildings at the Flower Branch Apartments on Piney Branch Road. Authorities said there were 14 units in each building.
“People were dropping children and jumping out of other windows,” Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said of the fire at an early morning update. “Everybody was getting out of the building as rapidly as possible.”
EARLIER
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Latest tweets first:
@fox5dc pic.twitter.com/FhHaTs0JKW
— Christian Rivera (@lordrivz) August 11, 2016
Update – Piney Branch Rd, explosion & fire, 3-Alarm+ & MCI, >160 FF/EMS on scene, FFs made many rescues, multiple injuries, incl several FFs
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
Update – Piney Branch Rd, natrl gas fed fire w/ electrical hazards as well, heavy fire & structural damage, FFs evacuating & exiting bldg
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
U/D – 8644/8701 Piney Branch Rd, 3rd Alarm apt fire, explosion & fire, numerous rescues & multiple civilian injuries pic.twitter.com/chaYX8jSMk
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
U/D Mutual Aid – numerous PGCo fire/EMS units assisting @MCFRSNews 86/8700blk Piney Branch Rd, natrl gas fed fire, also involves power lines
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
Update – 8700blk Piney Branch Rd near Arliss St, EMS Task Force dispatched to assist w/ multiple patients, incl some burned (civilians)
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
Update – 8700blk Piney Branch Rd, EMS evaluating multiple patients, FFs made numerous rescues, FFs engaged w/ firefight
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
MCFRS/PG working 3rd Alarm Apt Fire – 8600/8700blk Piney Branch Rd, apt fire, FFs making numerous rescues @mcfrsNews, rescues & firefight
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
Update – Piney Branch Rd near Arliss St, apt fire, FFs report partial structure collapse, debris indicates possible explosion, many rescues
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
Update – Piney Branch Rd, initial indications – possible explosion, FFs making rescues & others engaged w/ firefight
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
Update – 8600blk Piney Branch Rd, 3rd Alarm apt bldg fire, FFs making numerous rescues, heavy fire conditions, may involve several bldgs
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
3rd Alarm Apt Fire – 8600blk Piney Branch Rd, apt fire, FFs making numerous rescues,
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 11, 2016
