10 hospitalized, several missing after Maryland explosion, building collapse

A large explosion caused an apartment building in Silver Springs, Maryland to catch fire and partially collapse. No deaths have been reported. However, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said ten people were sent to the hospital, three with “serious injuries.” Several others remained unaccounted for as of Thursday afternoon.

“At the scene of the awful [Silver Springs] apartment fire. Hard to do justice in describing the devastation,” Montgomery County Council President Gabe Albornoz tweeted. His council also released a statement, saying it was keeping apartment residents “and the neighboring community members in our thoughts and prayers after today’s horrific explosion, fire and building collapse.”

“Multiple Montgomery County agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, and community partners, such as the Red Cross, are working together to provide medical care, food, clothing and shelter to all those who have been displaced,” the council said in the statement. “In addition, we will be working with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the explosion, fire and building collapse and to take the steps necessary to help prevent a similar tragedy in the future.”

The apartment building is located about seven miles outside of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia Fire and EMS said in a tweet that they were sending several units to the area to assist the roughly 100 Montgomery County firefighters who responded to the scene. In addition, Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) said state officials were in contact with Montgomery County authorities to offer assistance.