It happened around 2:45 a.m. in the 13-hundred block of Randolph Street, NW. A 30-year-old woman also suffered burns to her hands and arms. She jumped from a second story window to escape the flames and is said to be in serious condition, according to fire officials.
Quick intervention by a paramedic is being credited for saving the lives of the two girls, ages 1 and 2. Neither had a pulse when firefighters arrived.
The paramedic was riding with Engine Company 11, who responded to the scene. The District of Columbia fire department now has six paramedics riding with engine companies across the city.
``The faster the paramedic to the scene, the better the outcome,'' said D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter.
The eventual goal of the fire department is to have a paramedic on all of its trucks.
Eleven people have been displaced from the home where the fire started. Another 12 people have been displaced from the house next door which also had fire damage.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
