DC Firefighters Battle Several Blazes Over The Weekend

WASHINGTON, DC — It was no day of rest for DC firefighters Sunday as crews battled several blazes throughout the course of the day. According to officials, crews responded to three fires — two at apartment buildings and one at a senior living facility.

The first fire was reported just after 5 a.m. at a five-story senior living facility at 3400 Banneker Dr. N.E. Officials said the fire originated in a second-floor apartment. Due to extent of the fire and a concern for resident safety, a second alarm sounded, bringing approximately 20 additional units and 80 personnel to the scene.

According to officials, the flames were confined to the apartment of origin, spreading only slightly into a public hallway. Three firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to area hospitals. Two residents were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

Later that morning at approximately 10:40 a.m., crews responded to a fire coming from the roof of a two-story apartment building in the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue SE. Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from rooftop solar panels as well as the roof decking immediately beneath the panels. Quick work by crews contained the flames to that area. No injuries were reported, but two adults and two children were displaced from the home.

Finally, crews responded to a third fire shortly before 11 p.m. after smoke was reported coming from a building in the area of New Hampshire and Missouri Avenues NW. Crews found smoke coming from a two-story apartment building at 343 Missouri Ave. N.W.

According to fire officials, the fire originated on the second floor before spreading rapidly to the attic, creating heavy smoke. An effort to attack the flames by pulling ceilings from below and opening the roof above proved successful, and the blaze was brought under control.

There were no injuries reported, but 11 adults were left homeless. Fire investigators determined the fire started accidentally, caused by combustibles placed too close to a furnace.

The American Red Cross assisted at all three fires.