Second Alarm 4000 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.

May 23, 2007...Vito Maggiolo
An electrical problem in a Tenleytown building resulted in a major evacuation and second alarm on Wednesday evening, May 23rd.

Units had been called to 4000 Wisconsin Avenue earlier in the day for a blown transformer in the large, multi-story office building, which includes a movie theatre complex. While repairs were being conducted, a second malfunction occurred.

Firefighters were called back to the building around 6 P.M. to find smoke conditions on lower levels, as well as a sprinkler activation. Due to the size and complexity of the structure, and inability to find the source of the smoke, Command 5 ordered a working fire dispatch and second alarm. An extensive search finally located a buss bar that had exploded on the P-4 level with sufficient force to blow out a wall. Additionally, there was burned cabling in the false ceiling.

Units remained in position until the power could be shut to the entire building and the situation stabilized