Vigil To Mark 1-Year Anniversary Of Flower Branch Apartments Explosion
SILVER SPRING, MD — Thursday is the one-year anniversary of the devastating explosion at the Flower Branch Apartments that killed seven residents, two of whom were children, and displaced about 100 people. A vigil will be held to remember the victims Thursday evening . The Aug. 10, 2016 blast was caused by a natural gas leak . A total of 28 apartment units were destroyed, and 50 families were displaced by the disaster. Dozens of residents were injured at the scene, some from burns and others from broken bones as they jumped from the third and fourth floors of the buildings. The vigil will be held by the nonprofit CASA from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot across the street of 8658 Piney Branch Rd. The vigil will honor those lost and the families of the victims will be invited to speak. The victims killed in the blast were: Deibi “David” Samir Lainez Morales, 8 Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, 3 Augusto Jimenez Sr., 62 Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 53 Saul Pa...