911 calls released from Silver Spring apartment blast

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Authorities have released 911 calls from worried residents about a fire that killed at least two people, injured more than 30 others and left several unaccounted for at an apartment building in Silver Spring. It all started late Wednesday night and continued into the overnight hours on Thursday.

Many people reported hearing an explosion that shook nearby buildings and it was even felt by people about a mile away from the complex.

"The whole apartment is on fire, from bottom to top," one 911 caller told the dispatcher. "It blew up. Everything is collapsed."

"The building, the whole apartment, the whole block is on fire," another caller said. "It's like the whole floor is on fire. There are three floors and the roof is going into the third floor."

As firefighters arrived on the scene, people had to be rescued from the upper floors of the apartment building while some people even threw kids from balconies in order to escape the blaze. The explosion was so powerful that clothing and shoes were seen scattered into the street and nearby trees.

Authorities recovered two bodies from the scene on Thursday and the search for more possible victims continued on Friday. Families and friends of two young boys, ages 3 and 8, told FOX 5 that they are still missing almost two days after the ordeal.

The cause of the blast remains under investigation while many residents reported smelling gas prior to the explosion.

Learn more here on how you can help donate to the displaced residents.