Montgomery County firefighters battled massive flames early Thursday after a “possible explosion” at a four-story apartment building in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Silver Spring, Maryland, reports CBS Radio Washington, D.C. affiliate WTOP.
Fire officials said the blaze was fed by natural gas, and part of the building collapsed.
There was collateral damage to nearby buildings as well, fire officials added.
Numerous rescues were carried out, WTOP says.
Fire officials said at least 20 to 25 people, including two firefighters, were injured.
According to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, first responders were dispatched to the scene just before midnight.
The department said early Thursday that the fire was mostly out.
Capt. Oscar Garcia tells The Associated Press the injuries to the two firefighters aren’t thought to be life-threatening. The extent of the other injuries wasn’t immediately known.
Garcia said there were some people unaccounted for.
More than 160 fire and rescue workers were at the scene at one point, WTOP said.(CBS News)
Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/huge-fire-follows-possible-explosion-at-maryland-apartment-building/
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