The Latest: Hospitals say most injured in fire were released

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Latest on a Maryland apartment fire that injured numerous people (all times local):

2:35 p.m.

Hospital officials say most of the people brought to their facilities after an apartment fire that injured dozens in a Washington, D.C., suburb have been released after treatment.

A spokeswoman for Medstar Washington Hospital Center in D.C. said by phone that five patients were brought there. She said two were admitted and three were to be released Thursday afternoon.

Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland, says in a post on its website that nine people injured in the fire were brought to the emergency department. The hospital says one patient was transferred to another facility and one was admitted for observation as a precaution. Several have been discharged.

A spokeswoman for Holy Cross Hospital in Germantown, Maryland, said in an email that 11 patients were brought to the emergency room, and all were released by 7 a.m.

11:55 a.m.

Authorities in Maryland have confirmed two deaths following an apartment fire that injured dozens in a Washington, D.C., suburb.

Assistant Chief Russ Hamill of the Montgomery County Police confirmed the deaths at a Thursday news conference outside the apartments.

Hamill said the two, who have not yet been identified, were located in the ruins of the building.

He added that three firefighters with minor injuries were among 34 people taken to local hospitals after the blaze, and were released Thursday. Hamill appealed for all residents to contact authorities, because people have still not been accounted for.

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11:25 a.m.

An American Red Cross official estimates that 100 people have been displaced by a Maryland apartment fire, and 60 or 70 were staying at a Red Cross shelter established at a nearby community centre.

Regional disaster director Paul Carden said Thursday those who were displaced are primarily Spanish speakers. Translators were being brought in to ease communication.

He said the nature of the explosion has been especially traumatic. He noted that many people were “blown out of their beds.”

Mariana Turay, who has lived in the apartment complex for 30 years and spent the night in the shelter, said she is choosing to view the explosion as a blessing, so loud that it woke everyone up and alerted them to get out.

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2 a.m.

Fire officials say at least 20 to 25 people, including two firefighters, have been injured in a large fire at an apartment building in a Maryland suburb of Washington.

According to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, first responders were dispatched to the scene in Silver Spring just before midnight Wednesday.

The department said early Wednesday morning that the fire was believed to be under control.

Capt. Oscar Garcia tells The Associated Press the two firefighters injured are believed to have injuries that are not life-threatening. The extent of the others’ injuries wasn’t immediately known.

Garcia says not everyone is yet accounted for. The fire involved at least two or three buildings.