County Councilmember Marc Elrich Issues Statement about Silver Spring Apartment Fire

Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich, chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement today about the explosion and major fire in the apartment building in the Long Branch section of Silver Spring:

“The explosion, fire, and building collapse at the Flower Branch apartment buildings early this morning injured 34 people, including three firefighters. There is a massive County response underway, and the Red Cross and the County’s Department of Health and Human Services are involved in efforts to provide shelter and other assistance to the many people left homeless.

“County Executive Isiah Leggett has promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the explosion and fire, including a report of the smell of gas that was received on July 25. The investigation will be handled under the leadership of Fire Chief Scott Goldstein of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service once the ongoing rescue/recovery operation is complete. The operation is currently being hampered by a concern that the building is in danger of collapsing. Officials are seeking information from anyone who knows of missing and unaccounted for people who may have been in the apartment building.”

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