WASHINGTON — More than a month after a three-alarm fire ignited by a natural gas explosion tore through a Silver Spring, Maryland, apartment complex, police have identified all seven people who died in the blaze.
Montgomery County police said Wednesday the county medical examiner had positively identified the remains of 40-year-old Saeda Ibrahim, who is the last of the victims of the Flower Branch Apartment fire to be positively identified by authorities.
Police recovered seven sets of remains from the rubble of the apartment building. Authorities used DNA samples from victim’s family members to identify the victims. Among the dead were two children, an 8-year-old boy and 3-year-old boy.
Federal investigators said a natural gas explosion in a basement meter room caused the Aug. 10 fire. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what caused the blast and isn’t expected to release its findings until next year.
The fire sent 30 people to the hospital and displaced some 80 families. Residents said earlier this month they plan to sue to seek compensation and legislative changes.
Some residents said they reported smelling natural gas before the explosion.
