$600K Donated to Silver Spring Apartment Blast Victims

SILVER SPRING, MD — More than $600,000 has been donated to help the families affected by the explosion and fire that killed seven people last month at the Flower Branch Apartments in Silver Spring.

Along with the fatalities, other residents suffered injuries and 55 families were displaced by the disaster that leveled two buildings and damaged others nearby.

The president of the Montgomery Housing Partnership says the community’s response has been immense.

“I am personally thankful to each and every individual and business that went out of their way to help these families. It was truly a humbling experience to see how much our community cares about our neighbors,” said Robert Goldman, president of the MHP, in a news release.

Investigators are still working to unravel what caused the Aug. 10 disaster at the apartments, but say the explosion was caused by a gas leak in the meter room of the building. Leaking gas built up in the room until the explosion was sparked. Federal investigators will look at the gas transmission equipment for possible defects.

Authorities say those killed in the explosion and fire are:

• Aseged Mekonen, 34,
• Deibi “David” Samir Lainez Morales, 8
• Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, 3
• Augusto Jimenez Sr., 62
• Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 53
• Saul Paniagua, 65
• Saeda Ibrahim, 41.

After addressing some of the most immediate needs, including meals, document replacement, and car key replacement, the housing agency distributed the first round of money to the families last week to use based on their individual needs to get back on their feet. A portion of the fund is also being distributed as death benefits to family members of those who were killed.

MHP’s Long Branch Fire Fund is scheduled to close on Sept. 17 with the Flower Branch Fire Benefit Concert at The Fillmore, featuring Rare Essence, Ethan Spalding, and Paperhaus. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/337295609943796/.

Financial contributions may be made before Sept. 17 at www.mhpartners.org or by mailing a check postmarked on or before Sept. 17 to MHP, 12200 Tech Road, Suite 250, Silver Spring, MD 20904 with “Long Branch Fire” in the memo.

After Sept. 17, the fund will be closed and the remaining money will be distributed to the families affected by the fire as a final disbursement.

If you would like to donate to the Long Branch Fire Fund, you have until Sept. 17 to make a donation. You can find more information,here.

»Flower Branch fire photos courtesy of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services; photo of victims from Montgomery County Police