On February 24, 2003, a deadly two-alarm fire was intentionally set, according to DC Fire Investigators. The blaze killed 78-year-old Frances Sanders, a resident of the home on 8th St., NE and a woman whose death is mourned in the community.
Units were dispatched at 3:00 PM for the house fire, 615 8th St., NE. Several individuals in the block detected smoke before that time, however. EMT Anthony Proctor of A33 #3, who was off-duty at the time, tried to gain entry, but was forced back by the heat. Several police officers, as well, could not enter the home because of the overwhelming heat.
Engines 10 and 18 and Truck 13 arrived to fire evident from the first floor with extension to the second. As crews took their positions, it became evident that the fire had spread significantly; a second alarm was sounded.
As firefighters advanced lines up the stairs of the three-story brick roughhouse, they discovered the body of Ms. Sanders. She was presumed dead on the scene. Outside, EMS had already begun evaluating several people, including a DC firefighter, who were hurt.
The fire had spread to the cockloft and was punching through the roof. Maintaining a consistent interior attack for approximately 20 minutes, the bulk of the fire was reported knocked down.
Firefighter M.W. Hickman of Squad 1 was transported for heat exhaustion, treated and released. A 48-year-old woman was treated by EMS on the scene with oxygen and transported to the George Washington University Hospital, where she was reported in fair condition.
Sharon Denise Williams has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in the arson fire death of her aunt, Frances Sanders. Williams, 49, lived with her aunt at 615 8th St., NE. "At this time, it appears the fire was set as the result of an argument," according to Metropolitan Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile. D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter says an arson dog sniffed out accelerants used to set the fire. Total damage was estimated at $230,000.
