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During a press conference on Friday, March 4, Montgomery Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said 14 people had been taken to the hospital as a result of the fire that engulfed a four-story unit at the Friendly Garden Apartment complex in Silver Spring.
Three of those individuals were listed as being in critical condition while the remaining 11 were said to have minor or injuries.
Goldstein's department was looking into several theories about the cause of fire with the most notable involving a property maintenance worker. The worker was said to have been working on a plumbing problem in the building when an explosion triggered the fire.
During a later press conference on Friday afternoon, Goldstein said crews had found a cut gas pipe that could be connected to the cause of the fire. However, he said it is too early to determine what ignited to fire. The worker was also in the hospital, he said.
In addition, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich told the media the buildings at the complex have been regularly inspected. Most recently, the unit where the fire happened had a fire inspection at the beginning of February.
Elrich also said Montgomery Housing Partners, which set up a relief fund for the victims and over 200 residents displaced by the fire, has collected over $220,000 as of Friday. Donations can be made here.
In the meantime, various efforts are being made to support the nearly 100 people displaced by the disaster. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services set up a shelter and is also working the Red Cross to help give residents food and shelter.
“Our thoughts are with the individuals and families who have suffered loss due to this horrific incident,” said Curt Luthye, executive director for the Red Cross of Montgomery, Howard and Frederick Counties. “Our trained volunteers stand ready to support those with disaster-caused needs, for as long as help is needed.”
This is a developing story and more information will be provided once it is made available.
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