6th Body Found At Maryland Explosion Site; One Person Found Unharmed
SILVER SPRING, Md. (WJZ) -- Nearly a week after a deadly explosion rocked a Silver Spring, Maryland apartment building where residents had reported smelling gas, authorities found a sixth body on Monday.
So far, authorities have accounted for 110 people thought to have been present at the time of Wednesday's blast. Seven people, including two children, are still missing. But investigators believe some of them to be among those whose remains have been pulled from the rubble.
More than 30 people were injured in the explosion that has displaced more than 100 people.
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Authorities received some good news, however, when Oscar Armando Ochoa, who was believed to be among those missing, was found unharmed. "In speaking with Ochoa, investigators learned that Ochoa had moved from the apartments and was not at the apartments at the time of the fire," police said in a new release. "Lease information had not been updated to reflect this move."
Resident Kieran Prospere, who lives in a neighboring apartment building on Arliss Street, told WJZ's Mike Hellgren he is very fortunate to have survived the blast, which shook his building and others nearby. "Very lucky to be here, very lucky to be alive," he said.
Less fortunate are those still missing: Saeda Ibrahim, 41; Augusto Jimenez, 62; Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 53; Asseged Mekonen, 34; Deibi "David" Samir Lainez Morales, 8; Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, 3; and Saul Paniagua, 65.
"We heard the explosion and the whole building shook, my bed was shaking, and I run to the door, I opened it and I see (the) building on fire," Prospere recalled. "So I closed the door, went back and I said, 'Honey, I think we need to get out right now.'"
RELATED: Official: 911 Call Reported Smell Of Gas Weeks Before Explosion
Despite escaping unscathed, Prospere said his family still does not feel safe. Authorities have installed an air quality monitor inside his apartment -- which lies just feet away from the site of the explosion.
Like many who live at the community, Prospere told WJZ he had smelled gas before. Firefighters have been going door-to-door investigating tenants' reports of gas odors.
"We didn't think this was going to happen here, and it was horrific. Since that night, I've been smelling gas and I always get scared before I sleep and pray for the best," said resident Anup Karakheti.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Montgomery County Police said triple digit temperatures and the structural instability of the building have made their recovery efforts difficult.
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