The blaze was first spotted shortly after midnight in an abandoned three-story apartment building at 2nd and W Streets N.W. Units arrived to find fire on the second and third floors, and a Working Fire Dispatch was requested by Battalion 1. Although the initial visible fire was quickly knocked down, the upper floors continued to ooze heavy smoke, indicating there were still flames burning in the walls and ceilings.

It was a see-saw battle as firefighters struggled to open up and find the elusive fire, despite the heavy smoke and deteriorated condition of the vacant structure. Making no headway, and determining that the building was becoming structurally dangerous, Battalion Chief  6 interior commander Kevin Byrne recommended pulling all firefighters out.  Units were ordered to abandon the structure, and fire erupted thru the roof as a defensive attack began utilizing Tower 3 and Truck 4's ladderpipe, and the wagon pipe on Engine 4. A second alarm was also sounded.