Silver Spring

Latest Information on the Explosion and Fire at Apartment Complex in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

3PM Update:

  • No additional patients have been transported to the hospital, the number remains at 10 people, including 3 with serious injuries.
  • Most of the fire has been extinguished, MCFRS now working on stability concerns of the building.
  • Multiple people still unaccounted for, although no specific number given.  There is an active search, including K-9.
  • Initial assessment is that close to 100 people are displaced.
  • Marc Elrich: “Donations can be made to families affected at www.mhpartners.org” (Montgomery Housing Partnership)
  • Council President Gabe Albornoz: “Council extends their deepest condolences.” Albornoz thanked first responders, red cross, and everyone supplying support to families.
  • The next briefing by MCFRS will be Friday morning at 9am.
  • Video of the explosion via Fox5:

1PM Update:

  • Montgomery County Fire and Rescue first responded to an explosion and fire at the Friendly Garden Apartments on the 2400 block of Lyttonsville Rd in Silver Spring around 10:30am on Thursday.
  • Red Cross is currently at the scene assisting Health and Human Services in helping displaced residents in getting into temporary shelter.
  • No number at this time of how many people are unaccounted for.
  • Strong smell of gas in the area before the explosion. The cause of the fire/explosion is currently under investigation.
  • Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Spokesperson Pete Piringer referred to the situation as “mass casualty incident.”
  • At this time MCFRS are unsure where the explosion/fire originated in the building.
  • Firefighters made rescues using cherry pickers. Reports of mothers dropping their children to safety through windows.
  • There will be an update by MCFRS at 3pm.
  • County Exectutive Marc Elrich, as well as Councilmembers Tom Hucker and Evan Glass are currently at the scene.
  • The apartment complex has mostly senior residents, according to Hucker.
  • Evan Glass tweeted the following:

  • Governor Larry Hogan tweeted the follow: