2 children killed in explosion at Silver Spring apartments positively identified

Montgomery County police say two more victims of a devastating explosion and fire at a Silver Spring apartment building have now been positively identified, and both are children.

Dozens of people were left without homes following the August 10 explosion and fire, and many of them lost everything they had. Seven bodies were recovered from inside the building.

Investigators said Monday that Deibi "David" Samir Lainez Morales, 8, and Fernando Josue Hernandez Orellana, 3, had been identified. On Friday, they announced that the identities of three other victims-- 53-year-old Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 62-year-old Augusto Jimenez Sr., and 65-year-old Saul Paniagua.

Police are still working to confirm the identities of two more victims, with the help of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

Also on Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was designated as the lead investigating organization for the fire and explosion at the Flower Branch Apartments. Authorities said Friday that the explosion and fire was caused by natural gas and started in the building's meter room.