Officials said an explosion and fire at a condominium complex on Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg injured at least 12 people and displaced residents from at least two dozen units.
10 people were taken to hospitals, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Chief Scott Goldstein, with two adults suffering critical injuries. Of the eight others with mild to moderate injuries, four are children. No children were in critical condition. Two others were treated and refused transport to a hospital.
Goldstein said residents from 24 units are displaced. He said as many as 50-75 people could be impacted by the damage.
Gas was shut off to the buildings as of Wednesday afternoon, but Goldstein pointed out there would be a smoldering fire and small pockets of burning material for at least several hours.
As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, all occupants of 828 Quince Orchard Boulevard are accounted for, but authorities have not yet made contact with one unit at 826 Quince Orchard Boulevard.
At this writing, no cause for the explosion has been determined. MCFRS plans to continue working on the site for multiple days.
Displaced residents will be temporarily sheltered at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. People can donate to affected families here.
Update: Gas has been shut off but there will be small pockets of burning material for several hours or even a day. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/vpWub6vdGQ
— Maryam Shahzad (@maryam_mcm) November 16, 2022
