Residents give ‘spiritual, emotional’ support for Md. apartment fire victims

SILVER SPRING, Md. — In the simmering Sunday heat, residents and supporters held a brief march and gathered to show solidarity with those affected by last week’s explosion and fire that rocked an apartment complex in Silver Spring, Maryland. At least five are confirmed dead and a number of others are still missing.

Religious leaders of different faiths came together with current and former neighborhood residents across the street from the Flower Branch Apartments, the site of the fatal fire. Buddhist monks, Franciscan friars, a Rabbi and an Imam brought prayers from their respective religious traditions.

“I’ve been in this community for 46 years and I have given monetary support. This is my spiritual and emotional support,” said Elizabeth LaFrance, a member of St. Camilla’s Parish who lives about a mile away from the damaged apartment complex.

“I remember the neighborhood because I was up here all the time. So I just wanted to come back and see what I could do to help,” said Jackie Dennard, a worshipper at the People’s Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring and a member of Interfaith Works. Dennard lived near the Long Branch area around 15 years ago.

Rabbi Batya Steinlauf with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington says presence is one of her goals, but also learning what is needed to assist residents as they get back on their feet. “Montgomery County is an amazing place where people are working together to create the kindest, most supportive society we can,” she said.

“It is a grass-roots, community response,” said Rev. Dr. Rosetta Robinson with Interfaith Works. “Forty-eight hours to pull this together, and everyone is here to show their concern for what has happened to families, neighbors.”

Robinson adds that they’re also available to help residents through the entire recovery process. “We know that the community has been responsive. So we want to move forward with the healing that’s needed,” she said. “It’s on various levels. People will need the stability of housing, they’ll need the stability of dealing with the stress that has come with the grief.”