The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into a massive explosion and fire at a Silver Spring, Maryland, apartment building last week.
Seven people were killed in the blast at the Flower Branch Apartments in the 8700 block of Arliss Street on Aug. 10. The body of the seventh victim was located Tuesday.
The NTSB, which may be better known for investigating airline or train accidents, also investigates accidents involving the transport of natural gas, gasoline or propane through pipeline systems.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is already investigating, with the help of Montgomery County fire investigators.
Investigators said Tuesday they hope to have more information about the cause of the explosion by the end of the week.
Residents of the apartment complex told News4 that they had long complained of a smell of gas around the apartments, which each have a natural gas furnace and stove.
"I've been smelling gas for weeks," said Adrian Boya, who was interviewed shortly after the explosion. "I called 911, they came and told us it smelled like incense. That's pretty sad. It's like they didn't take us seriously."
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Joy West said she also could smell gas in the area prior to the explosion.
"When I walk in this area, you smell gas near the corner as you approached the gas station. But it's very strong on Flower, about a block from here," West said. "I just felt, and I told the guys at the store, 'You guys be careful 'cause one day something is going to blow up around here.'"
A woman who used to work for the management office at Flower Branch Apartments told News4 that the smell of gas was a common complaint during the years she was employed there.
"Oh my God. It finally happened," said the woman, who did not want to be identified. "They would send the maintenance people to check, but I think something more needed to be done."
At a meeting with officials Tuesday in the community center, residents received reassurances that Washington Gas has checked out the surrounding buildings.
"The residents of the adjacent buildings should not experience a problem with their gas. If they do, they should certainly contact us," said Earl Stoddard of Montgomery County Emergency Services.
The seven victims of the explosion have yet to be positively identified, but authorities believe the victims are Saeda Ibrahim, 41; Augusto Jimenez Sr., age 62; Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, age 53; Aseged Mekonen, age 34; Deibi “David” Samir Lainez Morales, age 8; Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, age 3; and Saul Paniagua, age 65.
Another 31 people were injured, and scores of residents were traumatized by the explosion, which blew doors blocks down the street and shattered glass several streets away.
"They were sleeping in the car for a while," said one resident in Spanish. "Now they've returned to the apartments, but they're afraid to turn the gas stove on. They're afraid to cook."
"One hundred percent of the families don't sleep, because everybody is scared," said a resident of a nearby building.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin told the community that he and other officials understand the trauma, and are working on getting the help that's needed.
"You look at this and this is about as bad as you can find of a tragedy. I just cannot imagine what went through the thoughts of people who were trapped in these buildings," Cardin said, after touring the scene Tuesday.
"There are certainly mental issues that are gonna have to be need to be dealt with. There is going to be fear," Cardin said. "One of the services we are looking at providing is how we can meet those needs."
