Crime & Safety
Apartment Building Housing Seniors Catches Fire In DC
Firefighters and emergency workers were evacuating the burning building Wednesday afternoon.
UPDATE 5:52 p.m.: Conditions are still bad, but all residents of the building are reportedly safe with only two ambulance transports, according to NBC 4 reporter Jackie Bensen.
Conditioms worsening at seniors dwelling on fire SE DC all residents safe @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/78VeXAKdIC
— Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) September 19, 2018
Original story:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bystanders rushed to the aid of elderly residents Wednesday afternoon after a fire broke out in the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments in D.C.
Find out what's happening in Washington DCfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
DC Fire and EMS Department continued to evacuate the building as the two-alarm fire grew in the 900 block of 5th Street SE. A video from the department showed flames sprouting through the roof of the five-story building.
The DC Internal Association of Firefighters, Local 36 shared a tweet claiming that "Immobile [are] citizens still being evacuated and conditions appear to be improving," but that rescuers still a lot of work ahead of them.
Find out what's happening in Washington DCfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The building has 162 one- and two-bedroom units, the Washington Post reports. The apartments are affordable housing units.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
People are running toward the burning building pushing wheelchairs to rescue residents from the burning Arthur Capper Senior Apartments in D.C. U.S. Marines are also part of the rescue operation. pic.twitter.com/xZwKoBV9w8
— NBCWashington (@nbcwashington) September 19, 2018
#DCsBravest continue to evacuate the residents of 2 alarm fire 900 5th St SE. This 5 story building houses senior citizens. We are using large water streams to attack the fire in the roof and attic, without endangering residents or firefighters. pic.twitter.com/VCgLA5Jwkm
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) September 19, 2018
From 295: roof of Arthur Capper Senior residence as firefighters continue making rescues @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/hP7YWDV1P0
— Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) September 19, 2018
Image via Patch
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