Maryland condo building explodes, catches fire; at least 12 people injured

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — At least 12 people have been injured after a condominium in Gaithersburg, Maryland, exploded and caught fire Wednesday.

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According to WBAL, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Pete Piringer said that a fire and explosion were reported just before 9 a.m. at the Potomac Oaks condominium complex Wednesday. The fire became a second alarm after crews arrived to heavy flames at the scene.

Piringer said, according to WBAL, that 12 people were injured. 10 people were taken to the hospital. Two of the 10 were taken to a trauma center. The other eight were four adults and four children who had mild to moderate injuries. Two others were treated at the scene and were not taken to the hospital.

People had reported to investigators at the scene that they smelled gas Wednesday morning, but Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said, according to The Associated Press, that no one called 911 to report a gas leak before the explosion. The last gas-related call about one of the affected buildings happened at the end of September, Goldstein said.

The Montgomery County Council released a statement following the fire and explosion, saying that over 100 firefighters and first responders responded to the condominium complex.

“Councilmembers are devastated by the news of a catastrophic explosion, fire and building collapse at the Potomac Oaks Condominiums in Gaithersburg. We are keeping the impacted residents, neighbors and family members in our thoughts after this horrific incident. We are hoping for a speedy recovery for the ten injured individuals who were transported to local area hospitals and praying for the two adults with critical injuries,” said MCC in the statement.

The Montgomery County Office and Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, and the American Red Cross are working to assist residents who have been displaced, according to MCC.

MCC said that this is the second explosion and fire this year in Montogomery County. The other one was at the Friendly Garden Apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland, in March.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Gaithersburg Fire Department and Gaithersburg Police Department are working to investigate the cause of the fire. MCC said that they will be cooperating with the investigation.

No further information has been released.

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