Montgomery County firefighters are battling a two-alarm fire and explosion in Gaithersburg.
Crews found heavy fire as they approached the scene on Quince Orchard Boulevard near Rabbit Road, PIO Pete Piringer, of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, tweeted.
"It was a catastrophic explosion," he said.
Photos from the scene show an entire section of a brick apartment building missing. At least eight transported to the hospital including four children and four adults. Two others were treated at the scene but refused transport.
The search for victims continues. However, some of the apartments are inaccessible due to safety concerns.
MCFRS Chief Scott Goldstein told the media at a press conference at the scene that residents smelled gas this morning, but the 911 center had no calls reporting it.
He encouraged people to call 911 if they smell gas. He said it was evident from the time firefighters arrived, that it was a gas-fed fire. Some of the building was bowed out and there was a wide debris field.
Goldstein said due to the magnitude of the incident and investigation, firefighters will likely be on the scene for several days. Locating people who are unaccounted for is of the utmost importance.
