Washington Gas says there are no issues with the gas lines around the Silver Spring apartment complex where a deadly explosion took place last week.
The utility company said Monday's tests "confirmed the integrity of the Washington Gas infrastructure tested." Washinton Gas says the gas system in the surrounding area was also determined to be sound.
The explosion and fire at the Flower Branch Apartments Wednesday killed seven people and injured 31 residents.
The victims 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.
The cause of the blast has not been determined, but some residents said they smelled gas before the explosion.
Adrian Boya said the smell prompted him to call 911.
"I've been smelling gas for weeks. I called 911, they came and told us it smelled like incense," Boya said. "That's pretty sad. It's like they didn't take us seriously."
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The Montgomery County Fire Department responded to a call July 25 reporting the smell of gas, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said. But building management told Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein there were no prior reports of problems at the buildings.
"We asked that of property management first thing this morning. No prior issues concerning the buildings. No prior responses from fire/rescue at these buildings," Goldstein said.
Goldstein said each unit has a natural gas furnace and stove.
Fire investigators say they are getting closer to announcing the cause of the blast. They said they hoped to have something finalized by the end of this week.
