Crime & Safety
UPDATE: 2-Story Fire On Pennsylvania Ave SE Deemed Accidental
DC Fire and EMS units responded to an afternoon fire at a 2-story commercial building on Pennsylvania Avenue S.E. No one was injured.
Update: (Tuesday, Dec. 31, 12:35 p.m.) After examining the scene of Monday's fire in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., fire investigators determined that that cause of the fire was accidental and electrical in origin.
WASHINGTON, DC -- D.C. Fire and EMS units were dispatched Monday, at 2:32 p.m. to the report of fire in a two-story commercial structure in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Arriving at the scene, firefighters reported seeing heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the building located at 323 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E. Fire was also visible from the second floor in the rear of the building, according to Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for D.C. Fire and EMS.
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A call was then put out for more assistance. "It was what we call a working fire dispatch," Maggiolo said. In total, 12 units responded to the scene along with 50 firefighters.
Firefighters quickly gained access to the second floor, got hoses in position and knocked the fire down before it could spread to the adjacent structures.
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"They were able to bring the fire under control quickly, within 15 minutes," Maggiolo said.
There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters, according to Maggiolo.
As of 4:30 p.m., two units were still on the scene and in the process of cleaning up. Fire investigators are working to identify the cause of the fire.
Working Fire 300 block Pa. Ave SE. smoke showing 2 story commercial building. pic.twitter.com/qYKheo4t4K
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) December 30, 2019
Update Working Fire 300 block Pa. Ave SE. Fire 2nd floor knocked down. Checking for extension in fire building & adjacent structures. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/3EWNtYgIOX
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) December 30, 2019
Update Working Fire 300 block Pa. Ave SE. Fire under control. No injuries. Investigators on scene to determine cause. pic.twitter.com/bHi79G7c6U
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) December 30, 2019
These were conditions encountered by #DCsBravest in the rear of the building at the Working Fire in the 300 block of Pa. Ave. SE. Our investigators have determined the cause was accidental, electrical in nature. Video courtesy Tom Martin of @hawkanddovedc pic.twitter.com/VhpfD8OkTS
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) December 31, 2019
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