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Explosion, Two-Alarm Fire Rocks Gaithersburg Apartment Complex, Injuring 12 (Developing)

An explosion and two-alarm fire in a Maryland apartment complex left 12 with injuries and led to a structural collapse of a building on Wednesday morning, authorities announced.

Scenes from the apartment explosion in Gaithersburg on Wednesday.

Scenes from the apartment explosion in Gaithersburg on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Twitter/@mcfrsPIO
The incident was reported at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard near Rabbit Road in Gaithersburg

The incident was reported at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard near Rabbit Road in Gaithersburg

Photo Credit: Twitter/@mcfrsPIO
The incident was reported at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard near Rabbit Road in Gaithersburg

The incident was reported at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard near Rabbit Road in Gaithersburg

Photo Credit: Twitter/@mcfrsPIO

The incident was reported at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard near Rabbit Road in Gaithersburg, Pete Pringer, the Chief spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, said.

According to Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein, there were 10 people - including two who suffered critical injuries - transported to area hospitals, including four children who reported mild injuries.

The other two reported injured parties were treated and evaluated at the scene. No deaths were reported.

Officials say that the incident happened at 826 and 828 Quince Orchard Blvd., with the former showing signs of an explosion.

The bulk of the flames was knocked down within an hour, though the scene was still active as of 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and could be a "multi-day event,” according to Goldstein.

It is unclear what caused the explosion.

Nearby Brown Station Elementary was put into a shelter-in-place protocol and power was temporarily shut down. Secondary searches of the area are ongoing to check for anyone unaccounted for.

Washington Gas employees also responded to shut off the gas to the building.

This is a developing story.

Check Daily Voice for updates.

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