WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Six people are dead following an early morning house fire in Northeast Washington. Three of those killed are children.
The fire began shortly before 7am Thursday, on the 1000 block of Jackson Street. Firefighters were able to rescue several people who were trapped in the house.
But when the flames were extinguished, 5 people were dead. Among them, 5 year old Kaniya Wilson, 10 year old Joseph Wilson, 33 year old Tawanna Gant, 23 year old Keith Nelson and 72 year old Charles Smith.
Later in the day, 11 year old Oscar Wilson died at the hospital.
The family had been celebrating Nelson's 23rd birthday the night before. His father, Don Brooks says "I'm hurt, I'm tortured, I'm devastated. I'm looking for answers like everyone else."
Homeowners Oscar and Michelle Wilson were able to escape, along with a 15 year old family friend who had been spending the night.
For the Wilson's, this devastating loss comes nearly 2 years after their 17 year old daughter was shot to death, caught in the cross-fire after a shooting outside a DC nightclub.
Now Michelle Wilson has lost her father and two grand-children. Her mother told 9 News Now, "even though we are mourning, we know God makes no mistakes."
But could this fire have been avoided? The home did have two smoke-detectors but it's unclear if they were working. And DC Fire Chief Dennis Rubin says the home was built with balloon frame construction, an old building method that may not have included fire-stops.
Rubin says that type of construction would be illegal today but it is allowed for homes that were built in the 1930's and '40's. He says "there are many homes of this style in the community. Our only defense that we can say is get up, get out, and get out early. Smoke detectors are the answer."
Thursday night, family members sifted through the family's belongings. Through tears, one of the Wilson's daughters said, "we were brought up through prayer. I'm more fearful for us than them. We're still here. They're in a better place."
On Friday, firefighters with DC Fire and EMS are planning to go back to the Northeast neighborhood and pass out fire detectors.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
