Story by Alan Etter

Photos by Joseph Deaton
Battalion Fire Chief

DC First Responders began at 7:55 AM when units were dispatched to the 1600 block of West Virginia Ave., NE for a building fire.

Firefighters from Engine 10 and Truck 13 arrived to find heavy fire coming from at least two two-story brick rowhouses.

A second alarm was requested, and units began arriving to begin extinguishing the fire.

As apparatus filled the streets behind Gallaudet University, it became evident that the blaze was escalating in the block of rowhouses, many of which were under renovation.

Thirty minutes into the event, a third alarm was requested as firefighters were ordered to evacuate the main fire building.

Portions of the roof dropped into the structures while firefighters maintained heavy streams on the bulk of the blaze.

"Nearly 50 minutes after the dispatch, the main body of the fire was brought under control," said Interim Fire Chief Adrian Thompson, who responded to the fireground. "Brilliant firefighting and responsible command kept this fire from becoming much worse."

There were no injuries. Eleven people were displaced from their homes.

Capt. Richard Fleming, head of fire investigations, said the building was so damaged that investigators were not permitted to enter.

However, through interviews with witnesses, it was learned that several people had been seen entering and then abruptly leaving the boarded-up building just before the fire was reported. It is surmised those people may have set the fire.

Damage estimates are placed at $60,000.

Box Alarm: E10, E26, E06, E03, T13, T15, BC1, R1, E12
WFD: E18, BC2, CR109, AIR2, T04, EMS5, A10, SAFO, R12, EMS16
Second Alarm: E17, E02, E04, E16, T03, T10, BC6, FFD, MCU, HM, CU, REHAB
Third Alarm: E23, E27, E07, E15, T09, T07, BC3, E08, CAR43, CR109