Investigators with the Montgomery County Fire Department remain unclear on the cause of the deadly fire at the Arrive Apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland.
It was February 18 that Melanie Diaz, 25, died and more than 400 residents were displaced after the fire.
More than two months after the young woman lost her life trying to escape from the burning building with her two dogs, her father, César Díaz, had hoped that the investigation would give him answers to better understand what happened that tragic day.
But he said the opposite has happened.
“My daughter should not have died,” Diaz said. “Mauricio. My daughter should have been here. My daughter had a future ahead of her.”
This week, the fire department and the explosives unit released a report of the fire that started on the seventh floor of the building.
According to the report, the smoke detectors did not turn on when the fire broke out. He also indicated that one of the men who was inside the apartment where the fire started was smoking a cigar, and using the wash as an ashtray.
Investigators determined that the fire started in an area where there was a reclining seat, a table and an armchair, a place where several electronics were connected to the light socket. There is a possibility that an electrical fault could have been the reason.
However, investigators were unable to conclude the origin of the fire.
Diaz said without that answer, it’s hard for him and his family to find peace. Even so, he will continue to fight so that this does not happen again.
“It bothers me, but at the same time it gives me more strength because I promised her and all the residents of Maryland that I would fight for them, until the day I die,” he said.
Telemundo 44 tried to contact the company that manages the building to question them about the report, however so far they have not responded.
2023-04-30 00:05:49
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