Body Found At Gaithersburg Condo Explosion, Could Be 'Criminal Act'

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A body was found at the site of an explosion that ignited a massive blaze at a Gaithersburg apartment complex and injured 14 people. The case is being investigated as a possible criminal act, Montgomery County authorities said at a Thursday evening news conference.

During the news conference, Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said authorities discovered a body in the rubble as crews worked to remove debris and damaged portions of the Potomac Oaks Condominiums, located in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard.

The body was sent to the medical examiner's office in Baltimore for identification, police said.

Authorities are still working to determine what caused the explosion, which happened around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday and ignited a massive fire that caused damage to multiple buildings.

By Thursday morning, the number of people injured in the explosion increased to 14, Goldstein said. Ten people were taken to the hospital, two of whom were originally treated for serious injuries. The remaining eight people — four adults and four children, including a 4-month-old baby — were treated for minor injuries.

As of Thursday, only one person remained hospitalized, Goldstein said.

The Montgomery County Police Department's Major Crimes Division joined the investigation Thursday, Chief Marcus Jones said. Police are pursuing a criminal investigation based on preliminary information and evidence, he added.

According to Goldstein, portions of 828 Quince Orchard Blvd. were also damaged and buildings at 824 and 830 Quince Orchard Blvd. were evacuated. In all, residents of 24 units were displaced by the explosion.

So far, no one has been reported missing; however, Goldstein said the residents of one of the six condos located at 826 Quince Orchard Blvd. remain unaccounted for.

Emergency shelter is being provided for the two dozen families displaced by the explosion, Goldstein said.

At the request of Montgomery County, the non-profit organization Making Home Possible is collecting financial donations to help families affected by the explosion. Learn more or donate here.