Fire Injures 12 People, 2 Critically, In Gaithersburg Condo Explosion

GAITHERSBURG, MD — At least 12 people were injured, including four children, when an explosion ignited a massive blaze at a Gaithersburg apartment complex on Wednesday, according to authorities and reports. Two victims are reported in critical condition.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue was called to the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard around 8:40 a.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls about a possible explosion, Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said in a news conference broadcast by WUSA 9.

When firefighters arrived, they saw signs of an explosion at 826 Quince Orchard Blvd. Part of the building had collapsed and firefighters reported "heavy fire conditions," officials said.

By 9:30 a.m., a bulk of the fire at Potomac Oaks Condominiums had been extinguished. Firefighters were also working to contain a gas-fueled fire in the basement of one structure, officials said.

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

Of those hurt, 10 people were taken to the hospital and two were treated on scene, Goldstein said. Of the 10 people who went to the hospital for treatment, two adults were treated for serious injuries while eight — four children and four adults — had non-life-threatening injuries, Goldstein said.

On-site maintenance staff used a ladder to rescue residents from a balcony, Goldstein said. So far, no one has been reported missing, The Associated Press reported. Once the buildings are safe to enter, firefighters will conduct a search to make sure no one else is inside.

Video from NBC Washington shows the roof of one building completely collapsed as smoke continues to pour from the building. FOX 5 spoke with a man in a nearby office building who said he heard a "massive explosion" before heading outside to find some apartments engulfed in flames.

It's unclear what caused the explosion. Officials anticipate the investigation may take several days.

Nearby Brown Station Elementary School was placed on lockdown due to the emergency response in the area, according to Fox 5.

The Montgomery County Council issued a statement following the explosion, fire and building collapse:

“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.

“We are grateful for the swift response by our first responders, including the more than 100 firefighters and first responders who responded to the scene, as well as the residents, building maintenance workers and community members who helped others to safety.

“Montgomery County agencies, including the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services, and community partners, such as the American Red Cross, are on scene to identify and assist residents who have been displaced.

“The Council stands ready to support residents and those impacted as they begin to recover and rebuild from this devastating event. We will support the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Gaithersburg Fire Department and detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department as they investigate the cause of the explosion.

“Tragically, this is the second catastrophic explosion and fire this year to impact and displace Montgomery County residents, following the explosion and fire at the Friendly Garden Apartments in Silver Spring this March. The Council remains committed to putting forth policies that protect tenants and keep families safe in their homes to prevent tragedies like this in the future.”