On May 6, 2003, an historic Northwest DC school was heavily damaged as fire ripped through one of academic buildings. Fire/EMS units were dispatched at 4:11 AM for the report of fire at the Maret School, 3000 Cathedral Ave., NW.
First arriving units reported heavy fire on the third floor with extension through the roof. An extensive interior operation was engaged as firefighters on the outside prepared for an exterior operation. Because the bulk of the fire was knocked down quickly, there was no need to go to heavy duty operation. All of the fire was extinguished from the inside.
There was severe structural damage, and the DC Fire Collapse Unit operated to insert beams and brace the damaged building. Fire investigators had not been permitted to examine the damage from the inside because of the compromised structural integrity of the building. Investigators, however, continue to interview individuals and examine evidence toward determining a cause. One firefighter received a minor burn to his arm.
Units:
- Box - E28, E21, E20, E09, T14, T09, BC5, R2, E05 wfd - E11, BC4, CAR43, AIR1, T02, EMS45, A35, SAFO
- 2nd - E31, E04, E16, E23, T06, T12, BC6, FFD, HM, CU, REHAB, R1
