Two Children's Bodies Identified in Silver Spring Apartment Explosion

SILVER SPRING, MD — Five people have now been identified who died when a natural gas leak caused a devastating explosion and fire at a Silver Spring apartment complex, Montgomery County Police said Tuesday, confirming the deaths of two children in the wreckage.

Investigators are still working to unravel what caused the Aug. 10 disaster at the Flower Branch 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 have now identified five of the seven victims found in the ruins of the apartment buildings at 8701 and 8703 Arliss Ave.

DNA has been used to identify victims found in the burned-out apartment building. On Aug. 19, authorities confirmed they had found:

• Augusto Jimenez Sr., 62
• Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 53
• Saul Paniagua, 65

On Tuesday, investigators identified two more victims as:

• Deibi “David” Samir Lainez Morales, 8
• Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, 3

Investigators continue their work to identify the two remaining victims: Saeda Ibrahim, 41, and Aseged Mekonen, 34.

Authorities said Friday they do not believe there are any people unaccounted for, Assistant Montgomery County Police Chief Russ Hamill said. But he had no timeline on how long the process might take, as families wait to bury their loved ones.

“We understand the agony of the families, we understand the daily toll this takes, it’s almost unimaginable," Hamill said. "We will do everything we can to get these tests done correctly and as quickly as possible.”

Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board are now in charge of the investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire at the apartments.

An NTSB agent said Friday it could take months to review all the evidence and determine exactly what went wrong.

A total of 28 apartment units were destroyed, and 50 families were displaced by the disaster. Dozens of residents were injured at the scene, some from burns and others from broken bones as they jumped from the third and fourth floors of the buildings.

Residents had raised the issue of the lingering smell of natural gas in the area, which the fire department and an ATF official said they are investigating. Officials said Friday that all the other apartments in the complex have been checked for gas leaks and none have been found.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said that a natural gas odor was reported on July 25. Firefighters responded to that complaint, could not verify the smell and left the scene. Federal investigators urged any residents who had noted gas leaks to contact the NTSB.

SEE ALSO:

• Maryland Apartment Explosion: 7th Body Found; Cause Could Be Known By End of Week
• Maryland Apartment Blast: 'I Think I Lost a Friend'
• Maryland Apartment Explosion: 2 Dead, 32 Injured, Others Missing [UPDATED]
• How to Help Victims of Maryland Apartment Fire
• Maryland Apartment Explosion: 3rd Body Found, 5 Missing Identified, How to Help

How to Help Victims of Apartment Fire
CASA de Maryland warns that people are calling on behalf of CASA asking for money. CASA is not making phone calls to ask for donations, the agency says.

MAIL (via check) FINANCIAL DONATION
Montgomery Housing Partnership
(Attn: Long Branch Fire)
12200 Tech Road, Suite 250
Silver Spring, MD 20904
[*] Write LONG BRANCH FIRE in check memo

ONLINE FINANCIAL DONATION
Montgomery Housing Partnership (Easiest – and preferred by charity)
Go to: www.MHPartners.org
Click on “Give Direct” (on right side of your screen)
Input amount and credit card number
[*] Make sure you indicate LONG BRANCH FIRE in the "comment" box
If you can volunteer as a Spanish or French interpreter for affected families, email mlarue@wearecasa.org.

Tax help for Flower Branch victims
Maryland’s Comptroller Peter Franchot said his office will offer help to residents of the apartments affected by the fire.

Any resident of the apartment complex who may not be able to pay their tax obligations on time, or pay the right amount, can call his office so that alternative arrangements can be made.

Anyone looking for assistance should call Special Assistant Mariela Cruz at 410-260-4020. Residents who need help can also email mcruz@comp.state.md.us.

Long Branch Library Resources
Montgomery County Public Libraries Long Branch is providing services to support residents who lost their homes and personal belongings. The Long Branch Library at 8800 Garland Ave. in Silver Spring offers:

• Spanish speakers on staff
• Computers and laptops for work and personal use
• Charging stations
• Free fast Wi-Fi
• Books, toys, and games
• Air Conditioner

Additionally, the library staff will provide library resources and materials to residents who are staying at the emergency shelter established at the Long Branch Community Recreation Center.

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