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Montgomery County
police are working alongside federal agents from the U.S. Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to sift
through the site in Silver Spring for clues to the cause of the
Aug. 10 blast, they said.
The explosion at the four-story apartment complex injured more
than 30 people, the told a news briefing.
On Friday, local police said that three bodies had been found.
Authorities previously said about five to seven people were
likely killed in the blast, but offered no specific number or
identifies at the time.
The identities of the bodies recovered at the site have yet to
be determined. It's possible that the four bodies recovered are
among those missing, local authorities said.
Among those believed to have been in the apartment buildings at
the time of the fire were two boys, three and eight years old.
About 160 firefighters battled the blaze, which was brought
under control after about two hours. Television footage showed
flames and smoke pouring from the building as firefighters
rescued a man from an upstairs apartment window.
Local officials said residents reported smelling gas just before
the explosion, which was felt over a mile (1.6 km) away and
tossed debris as far as 300 feet (90 meters).
Washington Gas, a unit of WGL Holdings Inc, which provided
service to the complex, has said it was helping in the
investigation.
(Reporting by Chris Prentice; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
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