GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Editor's Note: The story below contains mention of death by suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor by messaging the Crisis Text Line at 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.
Tuesday night, the 21-page final investigation report from the explosion at Potomac Oaks Condominiums was released.
The report was released, after WUSA9 pressed both the City of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County for answers on the one-year anniversary of the explosion.
"I don't know why it took this long," said Michelle Conklin-Kusel
"I'm really grateful that you got involved Katie to get us some answers but it shouldn't take this much. We should be able to get the answers. We should be able to get assistance. People should be moving to make us whole," said Traci DiMartini.
Thursday, marked one year since an explosion rocked the condo community in Gaithersburg and some residents are still searching for answers.
On November 16, 2022, investigators say Juan Pablo Quizon, 36, took his own life setting off a chain of events that caused an explosion at the Potomac Oaks Condominiums. The explosion left 14 people injured but only the 36-year-old man was killed. Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Marcus Jones said in 2022 that investigators have no reason to believe the man intended for anyone else to be hurt.
The report details how investigators believe he poured gasoline throughout his apartment in building 826, and then lit on fire. Investigators say they found pieces of his carpet that were soaked in gasoline, along with a red gas can that was uncovered and still had gasoline inside.
It's also revealed in the report that he had been struggling with his mental health and according to his mother, had a hoarding disorder.
Read the report here:
Many residents have expressed their frustrations with the way things have been handled by condo management, the City of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County since the explosion.
Nearly two months after the fire, one family shared with WUSA9 that they had been left in the dark about when their home would be rebuilt, all while they continued to pay homeowner association fees.
"We are mandated to continue to pay homeowners fees for a home that no longer exists," Grace DiMartini told WUSA in January.
On December 1, WUSA9 listened in on a community meeting held for the victims of the Potomac Oaks explosion. They were told that the money from those fees would go towards rebuilding, but that the process of rebuilding could take a year.
For the last year, people who lived in the impacted condos have been left to pick up the pieces after the explosion not only left many without a home but also being banned from going into the condos to see what, if any, of their personal belongings were left.
RELATED: 'It's about time' | Fire investigation report from Potomac Oaks explosion shared with residents
Four months after the explosion, residents of buildings 826 and 828 were not allowed to go into their homes. In February, a man who lived there told WUSA9 he had enough and went back inside, hoping to find important documents and family heirlooms. Instead, he said he found what was left of his belongings thrown all over, some of his family's jewelry and other belongings missing and syringes scattered all over. He shared footage exclusively with WUSA9.
Conklin-Kusel tells WUSA9 that the Mayor of Gaithersburg and one of the councilmembers reached out to her Monday, asking to set up a meeting.
They also told her that the plan reviews have been completed and approved and that the permits are expected to be issued in the next few days.