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| Several Residents Rescued in S.E. Apartment Fire |
December 31, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
Several residents were rescued by portable ladders as fire blazed in a Southeast apartment building on the final day of 2008.
The box alarm assignment arrived at 3245 23rd Street SE around 4:15 pm to find smoke showing from a three story occupied apartment building, and a working fire dispatch was requested.
Firefighters found flames inside a first floor apartment, with distressed occupants at windows of the floors above on side B.
Attack lines were advanced and quickly knocked down the fire as residents were safely removed.
One person from the fire apartment was treated for smoke inhalation and transported from the scene
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| 2 Alarm Christmas Blaze in Shaw Neighborhood |
December 31, 2008
Above Photos By William Rector Story by Vito Maggiolo
The quiet of a Christmas morning came to a grinding halt in a number of D.C. fire stations as they were called out to battle a two alarm blaze in the Shaw neighborhood.
The fire was reported around 7:45 AM at 647 Florida Avenue NW, a three story mixed occupancy row with a variety store on the first floor. Heavy smoke was belching from the structure as box alarm companies arrived, and a working fire dispatch was quickly sounded.
Firefighters had difficulty gaining entry into the tightly secured building, and once inside found fire on the first floor spreading to the floors above.
A second alarm was sounded as flames extended throughout the second and third floors and erupted through the roof.
Despite the amount of fire and a badly burned staircase, an interior attack was maintained on all levels until the blaze was successfully knocked down. Aggresive action also prevented extension to the attached exposure on the "D" side.
No injuries were reported.
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| Electrical Fire at Howard University |
December 24, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Just before 9 AM, Fire & EMS responded for the report of a fire on the first floor radiology unit at Howard University Hospital.
Firefighters encountered the smell of an electrical fire somewhere in the unit on the south side of the building, but it was difficult to pinpoint the source. Eventually, it was discovered an MRI machine overheated and caused a small fire.
There was a limited evacuation of the immediate area, but the main portion of the hospital was not evacuated, and there were no injuries.
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| Back to Back Incidents Near Howard University |
December 22, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
A combination of roof work and gusty winds set the scene for two small fires a short time apart at Howard University on Monday, December 22nd.
A box alarm was dispatched to the Howard School of Dentistry, 500 W Street NW, for a report of smoke in the building. Firefighters traced the cause to a fire on the roof of a two story setback being repaired. It was quickly extinguished.
All units were back in quarters warming up from the bitter cold temperatures when another box was sounded for smoke at the same address. Once again, fire was discovered, this time in a different section of the roof, and once again quickly contained
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December 22, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
One person had to be freed from his overturned van after it flipped and struck a tree on Capital Hill Monday afternoon, December 22nd.
Rescuers dispatched to the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue N.E. had to first stabilize the vehicle and than remove the roof in order to rescue a man trapped inside.
The victim was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries.
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| N.E. House Fire Results In Serious Injuries for Residents |
December 22, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
A father and child suffered serious injuries after fire struck their home at 638 Franklin Street NE on Monday evening, December 22nd.
Heavy smoke was showing from the two story row dwelling when firefighters arrived around 7:15 PM. A working fire dispatch was sounded as a hysterical resident reported that her husband and child were trapped inside.
An interior attack quickly knocked down the fire on the second floor rear, and a search of the house proved negative. As it turned out, the male resident rescued his 11 year old child and climbed down the back awning. Both he and the child were transported to area hospitals.
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| MVC South Capitol and Firth Sterling Ave. |
December 13, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
A two vehicle collision sent a van crashing onto its side in Southwest DC on Saturday afternoon, December 13th.
The rescue assignment was dispatched for an MVA with reported entrapment at Firth Sterling Avenue and South Capital Street. DC firefighters arrived to find the Naval District Fire Department already on the scene and starting treatment on several injured.
There was nobody trapped in either vehicle, but at least three occupants had to be transported to area hospitals.
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| Pepper Spray Incident Triggers Hazmat Response |
December 13, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
An apparent pepper spray discharge in a fashionable downtown store send customers and employees fleeing into the street and brought a hazmat assignment to the scene on Saturday, December 13th.
The call was received around 12:45 in the afternoon from the Filene's Basement establishment at 1133 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
Firefighters arrived to find numerous people complaining of eye and throat irritation. Traige was instituted, and a further evacuation and search of the store was ordered while special ops personnel began taking readings.
Thirty seven people who were in the store were taken to shelter in the adjacent Mayflower Hotel. They were all checked by EMS, with five treated and two transported.
Hazmat readings found no obvious cause for their distress, and the stores occupants were eventually allowed to return.
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| Fourth Battalion Basement Fire |
December 13, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
DC firefighters made quick work of a basement fire in the Fourth Battalion on Saturday afternoon, December 13th.
Smoke was showing from a two story detached brick dwelling at 6409 13th Street NW as units arrived at this noon hour box alarm.
A working fire dispatch was sounded as entry was made into the dwelling and flames were found in the basement level.
The incident was brought under control with no injuries to either civilians or firefighters
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| Units Knock Down Attic Fire in N.W. |
December 8, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Units were dispatched at 11:37 AM for the report of a house on fire in the 6600 block of Pney Branch Road, Northwest. Smoke was pouring from the attic and roof when firefighters arrived, and a fast operation extinguished the fire in a matter of minutes. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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| Medical Local Results In Rescue by Franklin Square Firefighters |
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| Firefighter's Jason Lerch T3#3 and Ben Evers E16#3 |
December 7, 2008
by DCFD.COM Staff
On Sunday December 7 at 0601 hours Ambulance 16 was dispatched for a minor burn at 1510 12th st. NW. When the ambulance crew arrived on scene, they found people outside the apartment building in a frantic state. The civilians advised the ambulance crew that not only was their friend burned but their apartment was also on fire with the burn victim still inside.
The firefighters on the ambulance proceeded to the fire apartment where they found one victim in the smoke filled living room. He was quickly removed from the fire apartment and the crew transmitted a box alarm request to communications. As one of the members tended to the victims burns, the other firefighter returned to the apartment building to assist the further removal of building tenants.
After the arrival of the box assignment, the burn patient was transported to the hospital by Ambulance 16.
A job well done by Firefighters Jason Lerch and Benjamin Evers
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December 5, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
The bizarre sight of bakery goods littering a busy throughfare greeting firefighters arriving at a serious collision on Friday night, December 5th.
The wreck involved a van and a sedan on North Capital Street just north of Irving Street N.E. First arriving units reported people pinned in each vehicle, and a second rescue squad was requested.
The delivery van was carrying croissants and other pastries, which were scattered about the pavement as extrication efforts began. The occupant of the van was removed through the rear of the vehicle.
All patients were transported to local trauma centers.
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| Mayor Congratulates Firefighters for Rescue on Gallatin Street Fire |
December 5, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Mayor Adrian Fenty took time from a press conference today to personally thank members of Rescue Squad 2 #1 Platoon for their efforts in rescuing a man Tuesday morning. The fire occurred in the unit block of Gallatin St., NW just after 4:00 AM. Members of the Squad were able to locate a 66-year-old man in his bedroom and remove him to safety. Though badly burned, the man is recovering at MedStar. Members on the squad during the rescue include:
Lt. Eric McGuire
Squad Driver Jimmy Griest
Firefighters Marty Supko, Milton Olinger, Charlie Dzanko and Kelly Byrne.
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December 5, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
At 11:53 AM, Fire & EMS responded for what a report of a building on fire in Chinatown, in the 500 block of 7th Street, NW.
Firefighters found that the emergency was in the 10-story Terrell Building, which contains a number of commercial properties, including Rosa Mexicano restaurant and the new Crime and Punishment Museum. There were heavy smoke conditions on the ninth floor where contractors were using a torch and accidentally set some insulation on fire around an air conditioning motor.
The fire impacted an electrical room on the ninth floor, but firefighters were able to knock the fire down before what would have been a catastrophic electrical event occurred. Subsequently, the fire pump in the building ruptured resulting in flooding conditions in several rooms.
The department's water services task force is working with WASA and the building's management to resolve the problem.
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| Firefighters Rescue and Revive Female From N.E. House Fire |
December 3, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
At 12:51 PM, Fire & EMS responded for the report of the building fire in the 900 block of Mt. Olivet Road, Northeast. First arriving firefighters found smoke evident from the front of the two-story apartment building.
Members of Engine 10 (Trinidad) entered the apartment and immediately discovered an adult female laying prone in the living room. The firefighters immediately removed her to the exterior of the building and found that she was not breathing. Firefighters began life-saving procedures on the woman, who began breathing on her own shortly thereafter. She was transported to a local hospital for further treatment of what were described as severe burns.
The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Damage was placed at $40,000.
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December 3, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
At 8:50 AM, Fire & EMS responded for the report of a house fire in the 3100 block of Channing Street, Northeast.
Firefighters found smoke showing from the second floor and attic of the 1 1/2 story single family home. It was quickly determined that fire was also in the walls of the structure. Information was given that an adult male could still be inside what was determined to be an extremely cluttered home. An aggressive search determined no one was inside, but firefighters were challenged to bring the fire under control under severe "packrat" conditions.
The fire was brought under control within 45 minutes with no injuries. The cause and damage estimate are still being determined.
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| New Customer Service Units In Service |
December 2, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
One of the new Community Service Units is shown here at the scene of a working fire on Central Avenue. There are six of these new vehicles in service, purchased with funds from WASA. Current staffing is one sergeant and two firefighters per unit, for a total of 18 personnel. Their primary mission is to inspect and protect the critical water supply infrastructure of the city. This includes testing all hydrants twice between March and October, which amounts to over 20,000.
The units carry electronic devices for searching out water main breaks, PPE, chain saws, and some are also carrying large diameter hose and other accessories intended to support the Water Supply Strike Team. One or more of the units respond on all multiple alarms, and if necessary will assist in staffing the water supply engine companies. At any major incident, CSU personnel will augment or relieve personnel as determined by the Operations Division.
When there is a significant water main break, the CSU will respond and conduct a geographical survey of the impact area, and determine an operation suppression strategy to deal with the loss of water resources. They will brief the incident commander and area operations staff and battalions as needed.
At fire scenes, CSU personnel assist citizens in retrieving personal possessions, and help to coordinate relocation of impacted residents. They also work with the Fire Marshal and Public affairs Office’s in installing smoke detectors throughout the city.
When a major natural disaster takes place, CSU members will deploy as a recon group, assessing the affected area to determine what local and federal resources may be required.
The CSU program is headed up by Lieutenant Sean Egan.
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| Elderly Man Rescued In N.W. Blaze |
December 1, 2008
by Vito Maggiolo
An elderly man was rescued by firefighters from his blazing Northwest home in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, December 2nd.
Fourth Battalion firefighters arrived at # 17 Gallatin Street N.W. shortly before 4:30 AM to find heavy fire engulfing the second floor rear of the two story end-of-row dwelling.
As an interior attack was initiated, the victim was located and removed from the structure. He was placed in the hands of EMS and rushed to the Medstar burn center.
The fire was contained before it could spread further. A working fire Dispatch was also sounded.
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| Children Rescued By Maintenance Workers |
December 1, 2008
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Just before 3:00 PM today, two maintenance workers at Stanton Arms Apartments, located in the 3000 block of Stanton Road, Southeast, reported hearing alarm bells sounding at one of their buildings.
They went into the lobby of the building, where smoke was evident. As the workers walked downstairs, they encountered a woman in the doorway holding a 10-month-old boy. She passed off the the infant to one of the workers while the other one went inside the smoke-filled apartment to search for a two year old girl who was said to still be inside. He was able to locate her - pick her up and bring her outside to safety. By that time, the building's sprinkler system had activated.
Engine 25 had already stretched a line into the building and was able to extinguish the remaining fire with no extension to any other apartments. EMS evaluated both youngsters, and they were found to be unhurt. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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