Aug 13 (Reuters) - A third body has been found in the rubblefrom an explosion and fire this week in the Washington suburb ofSilver Spring, Maryland, and others remained missing asauthorities continued to investigate on Saturday, according topolice statements.
An explosion and a fire ripped through an apartment complexin Silver Spring on Wednesday night. Police have not yetidentified the three victims, Montgomery County PoliceDepartment said in a statement on their website posted Friday.
Search and recovery efforts were continuing over the weekendfor several residents still missing. It remained unclear howmany people were missing, though authorities earlier this weeksaid some five to seven residents were unaccounted for.
The cause of the explosion remained unclear.
Federal agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continued to help local fireinvestigators, Montgomery County Police said on Twitter onSaturday.
Washington Gas, a unit of WGL Holdings Inc, whichprovided service to the complex, said in a statement it washelping in the investigation.
The blast and fire Wednesday in the four-story complexinjured 34 people, including three firefighters.
Local officials said residents reported smelling gas justbefore the explosion, which was felt over a mile (1.6 km) awayand tossed debris as far as 300 feet (90 meters).
The bodies of all three victims were transported to theChief Medical Examiner's office in Baltimore for autopsy andpossible identification, the police department said on itswebsite.
About 160 firefighters battled the blaze, which was broughtunder control after about two hours. Television footage showedflames and smoke pouring from the building as firefightersrescued a man from an upstairs apartment window. (Reporting by Chris Prentice in New York; Editing by DavidGregorio)
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