DRAMATIC security footage captured the harrowing moment an apartment complex exploded, leaving ten people hospitalized and hundreds homeless.
The blast ripped through the complex in Silver Spring, Maryland just after 10:30am Thursday morning.
CCTV footage captured by Amrit Gautam, 38, shows a fireball tearing through the property before a cloud of smoke mushroomed into the air.
Parts of the building could be seen collapsing while windows shattered and debris fell off the roof, Fox5 reported.
Orange flames raged while thick smoke billowed from the blast site.
Aerospace engineer Gautam told the Washington Post: “People were running out of the place.”
Montgomery County fire officials said at least 10 people were hurt in the blast – three seriously injured.
Around 230 residents were displaced from the complex's six buildings.
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Gautam said he spotted a woman, who was hanging out of a window, holding a young kid.
Meanwhile, Steve Inman, who lived nearby to the complex, said he “busted” doors to get people out.
And, Pablo Deleon, 21, said he could just see “giant, giant flames”.
All known residents have been accounted for.
More than 100 firefighters from different teams rushed to the scene where they were met with flames on several floors of the complex.
Pete Piringer, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, said crews made “several rescues”.
'GIANT, GIANT FLAMES'
Medics wheeled people away on gurneys and homes were left exposed after the roof of one section of the building completely tumbled.
Crews brought in equipment to knock down the unsupported walls following the blast.
Marc Elrich, who serves as county executive of Montgomery Council, said the impact of the blast was “devastating”.
He told WTOP: "All the floors between the roof and the ground are gone."
"And all the wood that would have been the walls and floors, it was on fire in the middle.
“So you can’t look at that and not just be kind of devastated.”
Firefighters worked to maintain the safety of the building once the fire was extinguished.
Goldstein said: “This is going to be a multiday event."
It’s not known what caused the blast as investigations continue.
Goldstein said: “We are working through a wide range of concerns and possibilities.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said he’s been in contact with county officials as well as those in state government.
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